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A SERIES OF 



INTERCEPTED 



MEXICAN LETTERS: 



CAPTURED BY THE 



AMEHICAN GUARD, 

AT TACUBAYA. 



AUGUST 22, 1847. 



PUBLISHED BY ROBERT H. SMITH, 

A WOUNDED SOLDIER. 



Second Edition, enlarged and improved. 



•'Was- 

COLUMBUS, OHIO: ■ "" 

STATESMAN STEAM PRESS. 
1848. 



Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1848- 

Ey Robert H. Smith, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court cAthe State ci C ^.t 



J EDI CAT! ON. 

The publisher of this work volunteered in the Baltimore Catallion of Volunteers, 

under Col. George W. Hughes, July 4th, 1847, and was discharged January 12th, 

] 848, in consequence of a wound received at the Battle of Chapultepec. He is now 

n his return to his mother, who is a widow with five small children, who will be 

■.pendent in a great measure on his exertions for support. He then 

DKDICATES THIS lUJMIU.E EFFORT, 

first: 

TO HIS MOTHER WHO TAUGHT HIM TO TAKE HIS COUNTRY'S SIDE. 

seco.nd: 

TO HIS COUNTRY, 

And his beloved Commander, the gallant Lt. Col. Hughes. 

thirdly: 

T T H .-^ E T R U E PAT RIO TIG R E P U B L I C A In ,- , 

..ho Iwve been his firm friends in this city, viz, 

v. E. GALE, LIEUT. DOUGLASS, S. D. JKj-K.v. fOHN 
WALTON, E. GAVBR, ETC. 
AND lastly: 
TO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN GENERAL, 
Vi' ho have proved themselves to Le tlic true Patriots in tliis glorious war. 
-..e then to conclude with the following sentiment: "My Country — right if 
,css'r.LE; — BUT My Cou.vtry, rioht or wro.ng." 

ROBERT HALL SMITH, Author. 

Cci.v.Mi)us, May, 1846. 



INTRODUCTION, 



Major General Scott entered the village of Tacubaya and 
established his headquarters there on the 21st of August, 1847. 
Tacubaya is one mile from Chapultepec (a fortified hill), which 
is itself about a mile and a half from one of the gates of the 
city of Mexico. On the morning of the 22d of August, a Mex- 
ican mail was intercepted by the American guards, containing 
two parcels of letters, one addressed to Toluca, the capital of 
the State of Mexico, and the other to Moreha. These letters 
are now in the possession of the Inspector General of the 
army — translations of them, carefully prepared by a capable 
hand, are here offered to the public, for reasons which will be 
manifest to the considerate reader. To make them intelligi- 
ble, some few facts must be stated, which occurred before the 
letters were written, and a few also which transpired after the 
capture of the letters ; but we wish it understood that it is not 
our purpose to give a history of the operations of the American 
army before and at the Mexican capital : we speak only of 
what the army has done as an army. No attempt is made to 
do justice to individuals, and we select this course for two 
reasons — we wish only to make the letters intelligible, and 
with our information and means, we cannot hope to award 
what is due to all. We therefore omit names, and deal only 
with events. Impartial history will in due time do justice to 
all. The distinguished judgment, ability and zeal of our engi- 
neer officers of both corps, will then stand out in broad relief, 
and the providence and skill of our ordnance officers will also 
be conspicuous, and justly so, as they are not content with 
service under cover in the arsenals, preparing guns and am- 
munition, but they follow to the field their heavy ordnance, 
and under the fire of the enemy give practical proof of its 
excellence and power. In like manner justice will be done to 
the judicious arrangements and abundant supplies of the quar- 



termasters' and commissaries' departments, without Avliich 
the army could neither move nor remain in position. Justice 
will also be done to the talents, i?kill and humanity of our ad- 
mirable corps of medical officers. So also a just view of the 
army will exhibit to the world its great excellence o^ personnel^ 
in olficers and men, in all the ditierent regiments and corps. 
Then, too, will be made manifest the extraordinary ability of 
the commander of this army, in all respects worthy of it, as he 
has given the most abundant proofs, by the directness and 
greatness of his objects, and the certainty and comparative 
ease with which he has accomplished them. Such splendid 
results could only be achieved by a commander gifted with 
the highest powers of combination, capable of the clearest 
views, and endowed with the most unwaverinii firmness and 
steadiness of purpose. 

Excepting some very few of the letters, they were written 
on the 21st of August, and refer principally to the events of 
the few preceding days, especially to those of the 20th of Au- 
gust. The letters were written by Mexicans to Mexicans — 
they exhibit the unrestrained outpourings of friends to friends, 
when all motives of concealment and misrepresentation seem 
to have been entirely out of the question. These letters. 
therefore, furnish valuable testimony on the points within the 
knowledge of the writers, though they contain some uninten- 
tional errors when statements are made respecting facts not 
personally known. Thus, when these letters state, as they do. 
that the aggregate strength of the army concentrated by Gen. 
Santa Anna for the defence of Mexico exceeded thirty thou- 
sand men, there is every reason for relying upon this state- 
ment; and thus, in the same manner, we have unquestionable 
evidence that not fewer than twenty-six thousand men were 
engaged in battle on the Mexican side, on the 20th of August. 
But the evidence is not equally good when the letters refer to 
the strength of the American army ; for the fact could not be 
equally well known. Thus, it is not true, though stated in 
some of these letters, that the American army was twelve 
thousand strong ; but it happens to be true, as stated in others, 
that the American force was about ten thousand — though not 
all of this force was at any one time engaged in battle. Va- 
lencia's entrenched camp at Contreras was taken in seventeen 
minutes, by the watch, by about fifteen hundred men, without 
artillery and without cavalry — he having five thousand men, 
with twenty-three pieces of fine artillery, covered with about 
two thousand cavalry. The fi-uits of this brilliant surprise, in 
the immediate vicinity of Contreras, in prisonei*s, &c., were 
secured by other troops, besides the a^ssaulting columns, post- 



ed ibr the purpose ; but the actual defeat and almost annihi- 
lation of Valencia's division, so often referred to in the follow- 
ing letters, was accomplished, as stated, in seventeen minutes 
instead of two hours, as stated in several of the letters. 

These letters also furnish ample evidence that the Mexican 
army was most abundantly supplied with munitions of war of 
all kinds, especially with ammunition in all its forms of prepa- 
tion ; most of which is now in the hands of the Americans. 

One of the chief points of value in the evidence furnished 
by these letters, has been superceded by the events of the 
12th, 13th and 14th of September: we refer to the fact that 
the American Army, by the victories of the 20th of August.. 
had entirely defeated the Mexican army, and could have en- 
tered the capital, had it been the pleasure of the general, on 
the evening of that day : a fact which no one can now dispute, 
since the Mexicans were unable to prevent the occupation of 
ihe capital by the Americans, after having bad from the 20tl: 
of August to the 12th of September, to recuperate and recover 
from the blow inflicted on the first of these dates — over twenty 
days — during Avhich time the fragments of the Mexican army 
were brought together and reorganized into a force of about 
twenty thousand men, having been reduced to about eight 
thousand, as the letters testify. The fortifications had also 
been immensely increased between the 20th of August and 
12 th of September, on the side of the city threatened by the 
Americans ; and at the same time enabled the Mexicans to 
withdraw all their artillery from the Penon and other ])oint.s 
not in danger, and dispose it on the southern and south-west- 
ern side of the eity, where they knew the attack was to be 
made. All this did not avail. The American army effected 
a lodgment in the city, at two points, on the evening oi 
the 13th of September; and on the 14th, entered the grand 
plaza, the headquarters of the army being established in 
the National Palace, — over which waved the star-span- 
gled banner — what remained of the Mexican army on the 
evening of the 13th, having been withdrawn during the night. 
At tliat time the effective American force was less than eight 
thousand men. 

A few words on the subject of the armistice may not be 
amiss. It is very generally believed that before the armj' left 
Puebla. intercourse of some kind, looking towards a peace, 
had been partially established between the Americans and 
Mexicans, but it was said that the Mexican authorities v.^ere 
restrained by public opinion, which was unable to conceive it 
was possible that the immense preparations in Mexico could 
fail in securing the city; but as the object of General Scott, 



8 

in the whole of his operations in this country, has been to bring 
about an honorable peace, he gave out, in advance, before he 
left Puebla, precisely vi^hat he would do before he would, by 
force of arms, enter the capital. 

The Mexican army being so large, and its appointments so 
complete, while the fortifications, which astonish all who see 
them, were constructed with scientific skill — all these facts 
made it necessarj'^ for Gen. Scott to move from Puebla and 
strike a severe blow near the capital, as the only means of 
convincing the Mexicans that, notwithstanding all their prep- 
arations, they could not resist the American army, small as it 
was. There was some hope that by thus opening the eyes of 
the Mexican people in the capital, negotiations might be en- 
tered upon, and a peace secured ; to accomplish which impor- 
tant object Gen. Scott was willing to forego all the eclat of a 
forcible entrance into the capital. We know that all this was 
distinctly within the contemplation of Gen. Scott before he put 
foot in the stirrup to leave the city of Puebla. Plis foresight 
and deliberate plan, in this respect, is one of the most remark- 
able incidents, all things considered, that has ever occurred in 
the history of wars. Let his position be considered — his dis- 
tance from home — the extent of his march to Puebla — the dis- 
tance yet to be overcome — the smallness of his force — the 
character of the city to be assailed, the great capital of a great 
country, defended by an army full three times his numbers, 
and known to be so — that capital surrounded by lakes or 
swamps, and only to be approached by narrow causeways, 
with deep ditches on either side, and swept by artillery in 
front and in flank. In view of all this, Gen. Scott said, before 
he left Puebla, in so many words, that he would march to the 
neighborhood of the capital, and either defeat the Mexican army 
in tJw openjicld if they would give him battle ; or he would take a 
strong position from the enemy, and then, if he could restrain the 
enthusiasm of his army, he would pause without the city, and 
summon it to surrender, in order to give the authorities within 
the city an opportunity and a motive (the safety of the capi- 
tal,) for making a peace. He did precisely what he designed. 
He marched from Puebla in four columns, with the interval of 
a day's march between each two columns, and arrived him- 
self, being with the leading column, at Ayotla, before the 
Penon, on the 11th of August. 

« While the rear was coming up, he reconnoitered the Penon 
and country around, and satisfied himself of the practicability 
of a march by the way of Chalco to San Augustin. As the 
rear columns came up they were directed towards Chalco, and 
taking up that route himself, the General went to San Augus- 



tin, 15 or 17 miles — the road, as the letters will show, being 
deemed impracticable by the Mexicans — arriving there on the 
17th of August, being then 12 miles from the capital, and in 
front of the fortifications of San Antonio, which are about two 
and a half or three miles from San Augustin. These fortifi- 
cations were threatened by a division, while the General, on 
the 19th, ordered a force to open a road in order to turn them 
to the left. This force had to pass what, in the letters, is cal- 
led Pedregal, i. e., a surface of volcanic scoria, broken into 
every possible form, presenting sharp stones and deep fissures, 
exceedingly difficult for the passage of infantry, and impossi- 
ble for that of cavalry, except by a single road, in front of 
which, and perfectly commanding it. General Velencia had 
established an entrenched camp on elevated ground, which 
camp he occupied with his division of 5000 men from San 
Luis Potosi, every where in the letters spoken of as the "flow- 
er" of the Mexican army. He had twenty-three pieces of su- 
perb artillery, and was covered by a large body of cavalry. — 
There was firing from and upon this entrenched camp during 
the afternoon of the 19th of August, but no serious demon- 
stration was made upon it that day, the time being employed 
by the engineers in looking at the position and studying the 
grounds around it; so that the Mexicans both in the camp and 
in the city imagined they had gained a victory, merely be- 
cause our army had not yet defeated them. The bells in the 
city were rung for joy, and Gen. Valencia distributed honors 
among the leading officers of his camp as the shades of even- 
ing left him in security with his lines. 

During the night of the 19th, a body of our troops passed 
along a ravine under cover of a night made doubly dark by a 
heavy rain, and in the morning they had gained the rear of 
the entrenched camp, into which they plunged headlong be- 
fore the astonished Mexicans had time to put themselves in 
position for defence. The assault was commenced and com- 
pleted in the short period of seventeen minutes, though our 
troops were engaged during an hour or two in picking up the 
scattered fragments of the proud "division of the North" — 
Valencia himself disappearing altogether. Several names are 
applied to this entrenched camp, (San Geronimo, Padiernas, 
Magdalena, &c.,) but it is generally called Contreras, and it is 
about five or six miles from San Augustin, to the left of the 
San Antonio road. Passing by Contreras our troops, before 
mid-day, were in full march by San Angel and Coyoacan, to- 
wards Churubusco, where the Mexicans were in force in a 
church or convent strongly fortified. About five or six hun- 
dred yards beyond this convent the road by San Angel, &c., 



comes into that of San Antonio at a point where, by a bridge, 
the San Antonio road or causeway crosses a small stream, or 
canal, called the Chm-ubusco river. Thia bridge was defend- 
ed by a perfectly constructed, scientific tete-de-pont, the defences 
here and at the convent forming a system mutually support- 
, ing each other. 

No time was to be lost ; and at a few minutes before 1 p. ai. 
our troops were pushed forward to the attack of the fortified 
convent, where the firing became very severe with both artil- 
lery and small arms. There had been some firing at San An- 
tonio on the 18th and again on the 19th ; but on the 20th, after 
the defeat of the enemy at Contrcras, Gen. Santa Anna saw 
that our troops, by the way of San Angel, would soon be in 
the rear of his fortified position at San Antonio, and he there- 
fore ordered that place to be abandoned, directing some few 
of the guns, which there was no time to remove, to be spiked; 
but the American division in front, by passing a column to the 
left, had already turned the position and succeeded in cutting 
the line of the retreating troops, which were also attacked 
along the causeway itself by another portion of the division, 
and thus the Mexican force at San Antonio was broken and 
in great part dispersed or taken prisoners, only a few reaching 
the tete'de-pont — the American division now passing down to 
the attack of that place, while the attack upon the convent of 
Churubusco was going on. At about half past 1 p. m. the 
Mexicans were in force at the church or convent, and at the 
tete-de-pont, and had, besides, an immense body of infantry to 
their left, (our right,) along and behind the Churubusco river, 
nearly at right angles to the San Antonio causeway; they had 
also another body of infantry and an immense body of cavalry 
extending along the causeway itself from the tete-de-pont to- 
wards the city. The American general being on the San An- 
gel road, in front of Churubusco, directed the whole of the op- 
erations, which soon after 1 v. m. became general, extending 
throughout the entire Mexican army. He directed columns to 
support the main attack in front, and other colums to the right 
to support the San Antonio division in the attack upon the tete- 
de-pont and the extensive line of infantry along the Churubus- 
co river ; other columns again, to the left, in order to turn both 
the convent and the tcte-de-pont, in which operation the ene- 
my's force along the causeway beyond the tete-de-pont was en- 
gaged. The battle now raged at all points and in all direc- 
tions, wherever the enemy was found in position, and contin- 
ued without intercession during a period of nearly three hour^, 
when the convent and the tete-de-pont were both carried, and 
the enemy was driven from the river and the causeway, and 



11 

compelled to tly in consternation towards tlie city, entering it 
by the gate of San Antonio in confusion and dismay, follow- 
ed by a considerable body of our troops at least a mile and a 
half beyond the tete-de pont, while a body of cavalry pushed 
the pursuit into the very gate itself, about a mile and a half 
still further, not hearing or heeding the recall which had been 
sounded from the rear. This cavalry charge is frequently re- 
ferred to in the following letters and no doubt amazed the 
Mexicans to an extraordinary degree, both by its boldness and 
by the little loss attending its successful retirement to the main 
army, which had halted near a place called in the letters For- 
talis. The American force, at about 4 p. m. was in the entire 
possession of all the outer defences of tlie city, on the San An- 
tonio causeway, aiid could have entered the city that even- 
ing without serious difficulty. But the General had accom- 
plished exactly what he had designed before he left Puebla. 
He therefore halted the troops, and after giving necessary in- 
structions, returned by the San Antonio'road to San Augu-^tin. 
arriving there about dusk in the evening, having been the 
whole day in the saddle, directing the important operatiom- 
briefly recited above. 

In the evening he was visited by some Englishmen from the 
city, for Avhat purpose is not precisely known — but the next 
morning the general, starting on the San Antonio road, turned 
to the left and was met at Coyoacan, near Churubusco, by a 
deputation from the Mexican government, under a flag, pro- 
posing some terms, which, whatever they were, were instantly 
rejected ; and the general sent by the deputation a paper he 
had himself prepared, offering to grant an armistice on cer- 
tain conditions, the first being that the Mexican government 
should appoint Commissioners to receive and consider tht 
propositions of the American government to be presented by 
an i\.merican Commissioner then at the headquarters of the 
American army. This communication being sent, the general, 
with one division of his army, continued on to Tacubaya, 
about six miles from Coyoacan, and entered that village as 
"ated at the commencement of this preface. 

The proposal of the American general was agreed tia l>y 
general Santa Anna, and on the 24th of August, the ■ ratifica- 
tions of an armistice were duly exchanged. 

Commissioners met to treat of peace, and this is an impor- 
tant point in the history of the events before the Mexican 
capital. The army, one is disposed to think, had accomplish- 
ed its mission. It had brought commissioners together to treat 
of peace after the government of both counti-ies had declared 
that a peace v/as desired that shoull be honorable to both 
nations. But peace was not made. 



12 

It is proper to say that the General-in-Chief had no power 
confided to him by his government authorizing him to act as 
a commissioner in concluding a treat}' of peace — he was sent 
to this country as a military man exclusively. He, therefore, 
is in no manner responsible for the failure of the negotiations, 
which nevertheless he has all the merit of having brought 
about, after the events of the 20th August. 

It is equally proper to say, injustice to the talented and ex-* 
perienced gentleman selected by the government of the United 
States, and sent to the headquarters of Major General Scott 
as the commissioner to treat for peace, was trammelled by the 
instructions of the government, in so much, that it will remain 
a problem as to whether more enlarged powers would not 
have enabled him to have made a treaty " honorable to both 
nations." 

The ultimatum of our Commissioner was handed to the 
Mexican Commissioners early in September, about the 2d of 
the month, and very soon afterwards, reports began to reach 
the general and accumulated very rapidly, that the Mexicans 
were engaged, in violation of the articles of the armistice, in 
fortifying the city, especially at night. On the 6th, the Mexi- 
can Commissioners, it was expected, would give their answer 
to the propositions of our Commissioners, and they did so, re- 
fusing to accept them. Simultaneously with this, the general 
sent a paper to general Santa Anna, declaring that as the 
articles of the armistice had been violated by the Mexican 
authorities, he felt at liberty to terminate the armistice at his 
pleasure, but would allow until the next day at noon for ex- 
planations. Up to 12 o'clock of the 7th of September, the 
general had not only made no reconnoissance, but had ordered 
the engineers to make none, in strict compliance with the ar- 
mistice. 

Soon after 12 M. on the 7th September, the general rode to 
the heights of Tacubaya over against Chapultepec, where a 
building was pointed out to him a few hundred yards from 
the base of the Chapultepec hill, which was said to be a foun- 
dry in full operation, casting cannon from bells removed from 
the churches in the city. As he rode away from the place of 
observation, he remarked that he would, the next morning, 
destroy the foundry, so as to prevent the enemy from making 
any more cannon, and would then at his leisure lay down his 
plan for a final attack upon the city. 

The battle of the 8th of September, called the battle of 
the Molino del Rey, was the result of this determination, 
this being the name of the building pointed out as the 
Foundry. The enemy, anticipating an attack in that direc- 



13 

tion, had moved out, on the Tth, a very large force, said by 
some prisoners taken on the 8th, to be 8,000 men, besides a 
thousand within the works of Chapultepec. This force was 
covered by buildings and entrenchments extending full a mile 
in length, its left being at the Molino del Rey, near some 
woods at the base of the Chapultepec hill, while its right was 
within a strongly built hacienda, of stone, as usual. 

Early in the morning of the 8th, the attack was made by a 
division of our troops, and the fight was continued rather 
more than an hour and a half, when the enemy was driven 
from his entire line with the loss, besides killed, of many pri- 
soners and of several pieces of field artillery, all he ventured 
to bring into the engagement. 

As the enemy supposed this attack was intended to lead 
the way to Chapultepec, and as Chapultepec was not assailed, 
the opinion in the city was quite decided that we had sustain- 
ed a defeat, although we had in fact most completely accom- 
plished the only object in view. Our loss in the fight was 
very great, and although something like the means of casting 
cannon had been found and destroyed — although we had ta- 
ken many prisoners (several hundreds) and several pieces of 
artillery — still, we believe the army would much rather have 
dispensed with the glories of that day, as it was accompanied 
with unusual sorrow and mourning for many of its noblest 
spirits. 

The general then began his preparations for a final attack. 
He ordered a depot of sick and wounded, of captured artillery, 
&c., including prisoners, to be established at a small village 
called Miscoac, to the right of Tacubaya, through which he 
had passed in coming from Coyoacan ; and in front of this 
village, at a place called Piedad, he posted a division to threat- 
en the city in that direction. Immediately there was seen an 
immense number of laborers busily engaged night and day in 
fortifying the causeways, by which the city was accessible 
from Piedad. It was wonderful to see the activity with which 
they worked. 

At the end of three or four days, the fortifications in that 
direction seemed very complete, and lined with artillery and 
men. 

It was evident that the enemy looked upon that as the con- 
templated place of attack, and for this very reason, perhaps, 
the general made his arrangements to attack, not there on the 
right, but at Chapultepec on his left, but still he kept up a 
show of attack from the Piedad. On the morning of the 12th 
of September, the firing commenced from three or four bat- 
teries upon Chapultepec, but no show of force was made, and 



14 

the enemy thought it a feint, keeping his principal force in the 
direction of the Piedad. The firing continued all day on both 
-ides with very little effect. 

It was resumed the next morning, and continued about 
three hours, when it ceased by order of the general, the ces- 
sation being the signal or time determined for the advance of 
two assaulting parties of 250 men each, supported by strong 
columns, the artillery resuming its fire as soon as the move- 
ment was in full operation, and in about an hour the heights 
were ascended by our troops and the scaling ladders being 
placed against the walls, our intrepid officers and soldiers 
passed over into the main work, driving the enemy either out 
of the work altogether, or into buildings where they surren- 
dered at discretion. The enemy, during the night of the 12th, 
had sent additional force to defend Chapultepec, though evi- 
dently at a loss to know where the real attack was to be 
made. The defence, however, was desperate, the fight being 
maintained at a multitude of points in the woods near the 
hill — at batteries and breastworks at the base of the hill, and 
from various points and different positions on the sides of the 
hill. This fight was, on the whole, one of the most remarka- 
ble that has occurred during the war. 

But I design merely an outline. As the military school was 
at that place, the superintendent, professors and students, be- 
came prisoners of war, with a large body of other ofiicers and 
men, including the celebrated veteran, general Bravo. 

Chapultepec having fallen, our troops were directed in two 
columns along two causeways, one leading directly to the 
city, and the other to the left, to intersect the San Cosme 
causeway, and now the fight was resumed inch by inch upon 
each route, but the infantry of the enemy was driven, and his 
batteries taken in rapid succession along a distance upon each 
causeway of more than a mile and a half, and at night both 
columns had made a lodgement within the gates of the capi- 
tal. 

Our force at Piedad was not unoccupied on either of the two 
days. A field battery opened its fire upon the enemy, and 
movements were made as if to attack in that direction, thus 
occupying the enemy, already strongly in the belief that the 
real attack was to be there — but after Chapultepec was taken, 
and our forces had nearly penetrated the city, the force was 
withdrawn from Piedad, and sent to the support of one of the 
attacking columns in the city. The deeds of valor by our 
troops oh this day, as on previous occasions, deserves to be 
' recorded by a Tacitus, or a Livy. or a Thucydides, and there- 
fore we do not attempt it. 



The general, after directing in person the entire operations 
of the day, giving the most minute and exact instructions for 
every movement, finally returned after dark to Tacubaya. 
where he was called upon in the night, towards morning, by 
a deputation from the city council, with information that Gen. 
Santa Anna had left the city and had witJidrawn the army, 
and they deh^ired the general to give them some assurances or 
conditions l^efore entering the city. This he declined doing,; tel- 
ling them in substance, that he would agree to no conditions 
until he should first go into the city, and then only to such as 
should be self-imposed, but that his course would be such as 
the dignity and honor of the United States required. 

At 9 o'clock on the morning of the 14th of September, the 
general dismounted within the court of the National Palace, 
and ascending the broad flight of stairs to the saloons above, 
sat down and wrote a brief order, announcing his occupation 
of the capital of Mexico. 



San Antonio, i9th August. 
{Extract.) 
Yesterday we commenced firing upon thf^ enemy with our 
cannon, and killed some men and horses. To-day, up to 12 
M., we have fired but few shots, and the enemy are retreat- 
ing, with the object, } suppose, of going to Tacubaya by the 
way of Pedregal [Contreras.] They have a long distance to"' 
march, and I do not know what will become of them in their 
unfortunate situation. Every day is a loss to them and a 
gain to us. The struggle will be severe but favorable totis; 
as the measures we have taken are very good, and they v/ill 
not this time laugh in th-^ir Vpft'-,] pc? t1-:py have on former oc- 
casions. Dn. p. J. 



The following letter is* from a rftiethberof the Meifican Con- 
gress, and is marked /vmYiife; I ■ ' 
'• ■ ' • -^ Mexico, August 21st, 1847. 

My Bear Friend: — I have before me your welcome letter of 
the 10th inst., in which, among other things, you are pleased 
to point out to me the reasons why you had suspended our 
correspondence. The idea you present to me, that I ought 
not to leave this place before having arranged every thing 

relative to that , is a good one, but cannot be realized 

at present, owing to the afflicting circumstances which over- 
whelm us, every thing being in the greatest disorder, and 
there being in fact, no Cong'^^^'« ^nd government occupying 



16 

itself only with matters of the war, and, absolutely, no other 
business can be attended to. In truth, this war is going to 
cease, as I suppose, because, on the 19th and 20th, at the gates 
of Mexico, our nation has covered itself with mourning and 
dishonor, and our generals and chiefs in particular, with op- 
probrium. There is not even left to us the glory to say, with 
that French personage well known in history, that " all is lost 
but our honor ;" as our army has long since lost both honor 
and shame, which is not necessary to prove when this capital 
groans with sorrow, and anger against those who call them- 
selves its defenders. The enemy, as yet, has not soiled with 
his tread the palaces of the Montezumas, but that is because 
a suspension of hostilities has caused him to pause in his tri- 
umphant march. This suspension, which has no other object 
than to collect the wounded and to bury the dead, as some 
say, has also another purpose, and that is, to see the propo- 
sitions of peace from the government at Washington, of 
which Mr. Nicholas Trist is the bearer. The actual govern- 
ment, that is to say, the President, who finds himself com- 
promised before the nation, has sent a message to Congress, 
which I take to be a matter of mere form, that upon hearing 
the above mentioned propositions he would use only> the pow- 
ers belonging to him by the Constitution. The Congress, be- 
side the fact that it does not exist, there being assembled to- 
day but twenty-five deputies, as yet has nothing to do with 
the matter, so that the message of the President seems to me 
to be untimely ; nevertheless, being so or not, Congress, as I 
said before, as it does not exist, can do nothing. From this I 
deduce, with other friends of the same opinion, the following 
results : That the case being an urgent one, the enemy wait- 
ing an answer at the gates of the city, a meeting of Congress 
being impossible in order to review treaties which must be 
concluded, at the latest, next week, the Executive is necessa- 
rily obliged to assume powers not conceded to it by the con- 
stitution, to wit : that of approving treaties after having made 
them. In a normal state of the country this would be an as- 
sumption, and against law, so that the Executive, in order to 
exercise this power, finds it necessary to use revolutionary 
means. Hence, the necessity of a Dictatorship, which is al- 
ready announced to us, and I think but a few days will elapse 
before this will be realized. Be on the look out. If I learn 
any thing more I will inform you of it. It is true, that if our 
army had been successful we should have fallen under a Dic- 
tatorship, about which our military chiefs have so much occu- 
pied themselves, and perhaps they were dreaming of that 
when they were all beaten ; but being beaten the same hopes 
remain, with this difierence, that as they must have some- 



17 

thing to lean upon, that support, I suppose, will now be the 
Yankees. Be this as it may, I will soon ascertain and tell 
you. I will not occupy myself in giving you a minute des- 
cription of how the action was brought on, and how lost, nor 
will I give you a formal opinion of the motives of the parties ; 
however, I will tell you what I hear from rational and well 
informed people. Gen. Valencia, the rival of Santa Anna, 
wished the glory of defeating the enemy, but he needed assis- 
tance, which should have been sent him. Well, the battle 
once commenced, w^hether right or wrong, Santa Anna look- 
ed upon the rout of Valencia as a cold spectator, sending 
him no assistance, after which every thing was disorder and 
rout on our part. You can make such commentaries as you 
please, but bear in mind, in order to make no mistake, that 
our army was composed of twenty-four or twenty-five thou- 
sand men, and that of the enemy of only twelve thousand 
men, and that after the actions of the 19th and 20th, our 
forces do not amount to over eleven thousand men, all of 
whom are frightened to death. Among the misfortunes which 
have befallen us. we have in the hands of the enemy many 
hundreds of prisoners, including the battalions of Independ- 
ence and Bravo, the loss of Perdrigan, Blanco and Frotnera 
and other generals, and a great many killed. The ex-Presi- 
dent Anaya and many others are prisoners, all of our artil- 
lery lost, and our regular troops dispersed or cut to pieces. 

My friend, in all our misfortunes I do not particularly note, 
as some people will have it, that there has been any treason 
or any secret understanding, but I must say that there is great 
weakness and ignorance, and very little honor shown on the 
part of our generals-in-chief. We must only look to God for 
the salvation of our country. I am pleased that you intend 
to enter into relationship with the ministers and with his Ex- 
cellency the President, but I must recommend that you be very 
respectful in your letters, that you touch their pride without 
adulation. The minister of T. says he will answer your note. 
No one knew of the intentions Valencia had, but after his 
rout it was said that had he gained the victory, he would have 
overpowered Santa Anna and made himself Dictator, for 
which purpose he had already named his ministers, and had 
promised the rank of general to several of his friends. Oth- 
ers say that Valencia was in league with the enemy, but this, 
to speak the truth, I cannot and shall never believe. How- 
ever, the man, (Valencia,) who has been ordered to be shot 
by Santa Anna, has escaped through the State of Mexico, 
which government has received him well, which I do not un- 
derstand. 

2 



18 

Should there be a Dictatorship or not, you must be very vi- 
gilant and take care of our interests, that is to say, should our 
territory not be benefited, that we shall not lose. I have heard 
it announced that the States of Jalisco, Guanajuato and Zaca- 
tecas, &c., wish to make a separate republic, but I do not 
know what to think Colino, on which account it would be ne- 
cessary for them to think us instruments (tools) to be cheated, 
others say that those States who are against the army will an- 
nex themselves, together with other States of the North to the 
United States of America. 

[Here follows much miscellaneous and private matter.] 

[Note. — The first sheet of the original of this letter was 
lost.] 

* * * Scott, a man of superior talents in the art of war, 
as it appears, considering the position of Yelencia very advan- 
tageous, established a small portion of his troops in a ravine 
very near our batteries, from whence he could use his muskets 
to advantage, without injury from us, he, Scott, having no 
artillery. Afterwards he sent a column with three light pie- 
ces of Artillery to take a position on the heights on the right 
of Valencia's camp, and another body of troops on the left 
of Valencia in order to flank this general. At about 6 o'clock 
in the morning [of the 20th of August] he obtained his object, 
having troops concealed on both flanks of Valencia, and a 
very few in front with a number of wagons, to call the atten- 
tion of Valencia that way. 

The column which, on the previous afternoon had taken po- 
sition on the right of Valencia, Scott ordered should get into 
the rear during the night, and the body of troops that were in 
front of Valencia the same afternoon were divided, one part 
of which took the right of Valencia, and in the meantime he 
had sent reinforcements to the body stationed on the left, obli- 
ging his soldiers to cross a river half body (up to the waist) 
deep. In this manner Valencia, during the night, was entire- 
ly cut off", and at 6 o'clock the next morning he was attacked 
at the same time in the front, in the rear and on both flanks. 
The engagement lasted about two hours, the result of which 
was, that all our artillery was lost, with the entire train, am- 
munition and all ; a great many killed and wounded, and those 
wdio were not made prisoners were entirely dispersed. On 
the afternoon of the day previous, Valencia, seeing that he 
was in danger of being flanked, asked assistance of Santa 
Anna, who ordered him to retire immediately, but he, Valen- 
cia, did not retire, probably because he considered victory pos- 
sible. Valencia did not send for reinforcements once, but sev- 



19 

eral times, on all which occasions he was refused by Santa 
Anna, a'nd the order to retire was repeated — on account of 
which, after the unfortunate result of the engagement, Santa 
Anna ordered this general to be shot for disobedience. Some 
assure us there is foundation for this order, for Valencia was 
very obstinate, and thereby caused the loss of the whole army 
— still, others do not think so, as, having behaved with valor, 
saves him from ali discreditable imputations. 

My opinion is, that Santa Anna should have sent Valencia 
reinforcements, and should have procured a victory by any 
means, and after that chastised him for his disobedience of or- 
ders. In this manner he would have rendered an important 
service to the nation, and it would have been a salutary ex- 
ample for generals-in-chief in future. Scott, having destroyed 
our best troops, the flower of the army, then proceeded with 
his forces and attacked the main army immediately after- 
wards — that is to say, those stationed at San Antonio and 
Churubusco and Mexicalcingo, thereby effecting in one single 
day the destruction of an army of more than thirty thousand 
men. This North Amexican general, in a strange country, 
has fought us in detail and destroyed our large army, a thing 
which our general should have done with respect to his army. 

It is now^ 5 o'clock in the afternoon, and the enemy has sent 
in an intimation allowing 48 hours for the evacuation of this 
city, so that their (his) troops may occupy it. Our troops which 
with great difficulty have been brought together, do not ex- 
ceed eight or nine thousand men, with which we can do noth- 
ing, as they have lost their morale. 

The companies of Bravo and hidependence, with the excep- 
tion of a few killed, are prisonr^rs. Generals Salas and Goro- 
stiza, are prisoners, as also ethers whose names I do not re- 
collect. As yet I hear of the death of only Gen. Mehia, and 
of Frontera, Colonel of cavalry. It is also said, but not cer- 
tainly, that Perdigan wp,s killed. I have just been told that 
Bravo is a prisoner an^d also Anaya. 



Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847. 
J- C. — M}/ much loved and respected friend: — The enemy 
made his appearance on the r2th near the Penon, which place 
did not appear disposed to attack, it being too well fortified, 
and they went around by the way of Chalco. On the 16th 
they made their appearance at San Augustin Tlalpam, and 
Valencia immediately took position on the hills of Contreras, 
i\ear the town of San Angel, with his brilliant division, brought 
by him from San Luis Potosi, in number 6000 men, perfectly 
well equipped and furnished with 24 pieces of cannon. This 



20 

was a precaution taken by government, as no one, thought 
that the Americans would take the road from San Augustin 
to Contreras, as it is over a pedregal. I do not know whether 
you are acquainted with the road, but even those who go over 
it on foot encounter a thousand obstacles. {Pedregal means 
volcanic grounds exceedingly broken, full of sharp stones, ri- 
sing almost into precipices and broken into immense chasms.) 
Part of the Americans went down to the Hacienda of Coapa, 
and Santa Anna thought fit to place troops at San Antonio, 
in order to impede their progress that way. Things remained 
in this position until Thursday, the 19th, when the Americans, 
having overcome the obstacles of the Pedregal, presented 
themselves in front of Valencia, who gave them a hard fight, 
having confidence, owing to the past, in the valor, of his 
troops; but on the morning of the 20th, about ten minutes af- 
ter 6, he found himself attacked by the enemy, who destroyed 
all his division, took all of his artillery and over twenty thou- 
sand dollars he had for the payment of his troops. 

This great disaster was increased in the afternoon at about 
3, when the Yankees took the well* fortified point at Churu- 
busco, causing a great many deaths, and taking a great num- 
ber of prisoners. You can imagine our state in the capital 
under such repeated misfortunes, the more so as all of our 
troops are dispersed and we are momentarily expecting an 
attack upon the capital. We are lost, Mr. J., and in my opin- 
ion there is no hope of reparation. Some people are spread- 
ing the report, that Santa Anna is implicated in an intrigue, 
but this I know is false and no one has any right to suspect 
anything of the kind. 

Who knows what is to become of us when these men come 
into the capital. 

* * * Very possibly these devils will find some means 
to intercept this letter, (indeed!) but., as I said to you before, I 
will see by what stratagem I can send you my letters in fu- 
ture. B. R. 



Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847. 
Dear — Yesterday was the date of a most bloody battle at 
the edge of the stony ground of San Angel, and though until 
yesterday morning victory had declared itself in favor of our 
arms, yet the enemy, favored by the darkness of the night, and 
by rain and some cornfields in that vicinity, found means to 
place their troops in all directions, taking possession of a 
height, and yesterday morning they opened the action upon 
our forces on all sides, from which resulted a dreadful slaugh- 
ter, and a general dispersion, which it was impossible to re- 



21 

strain. Gen. Valencia lost his entire battery, which, is now of 
the hand.5 of the enemy, consisting of twenty-two cannon in 
large calibre. 

In consequence of this affair, there is a want of confidence 
in all parts, many saying that it was a deliberate surrender ; 
but, according to my opinion, the fault lies in the want of 
foresight and precaution in our principal officers, who rely 
too much for success upon numbers, while the enemy neither 
sleep nor know fear in war. 

We have lost Churubusco and more than five thousand men 
between killed and wounded, without having been able to 
think how to make the slightest advance — on the contrary all 
has been lost. To-day the lines (referring to the garitas) have 
been reinforced, and the next action will be decisive, placing 
this capital in the hands of the Yankees, or it will cease to 
exist. D. A. 



(Extract.) 

Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847. 
To R. C. C. — On Thursday the firing commenced against 
Valencia's division, and continued until 5 p. m., when the vic- 
tory appeared to be on our side, &c., (then follows the re- 
verse.) 

This can only be a curse of Heaven, otherwise it would 
not have been pos.sible for the enemy to have given us such a 
severe blow. * * 



My Dear Pepita: — After the immense misfortunes which 
have befallen us, and the thousand fatigues and risks I have 
gone through, the hand of providence has saved me, and I 
reached the capital last evening. Pedro is well, and I have 
the pleasure of commending him to you. A. J. is well, and 
saved himself. I cannot now write you any more. And it 
appears there is an armistice of 48 hours, at the end of which 
I do not know v.'hat will occur. I will notify you. J. M. 



Mexico, 20th Aug., 1847. 
My Dear Chulela: — Wishing to relieve you of the fear and 
anguish so natural on account of the misfortunes that have 
beset us, I wrote to you and concealed the truth, but now that 
the danger is all over, I will speak the truth, and say that we 
have been completely routed, losing all of our fortifications 
in less than six hours. We have only a small portion of our 
troops left, which will leave the city to-morrow. All person- 
al danger is now at an end, and nothing disturbs us but the 
sense of our calamities. The spectacle to-day has been dis- 



22 

tressing, as you can well imagine ; to-morrow it will be worse, 
and I shall shut myself up between four walls, to avoid per- 
sonal danger. I will go to you if the diligence leaves to-mor- 
row, but this is not certain. As we have no more combatants 
in the city, the entrance of the enemy will be pacific ; we 
shall only have the mortification of seeing around us imper- 
ious visitors. We have had enough of misfortune. 



Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847. 
G. M. ^ T. — Mr. Trist has been recognized as the com- 
missioner of the United States. To-morrow our government 
will listen to him. If there is prudence observed something 
may be arranged, and the future — God knows what it will be. 
That the enemy should have reached the very gates of the 
city is not at all strange. It was unavoidable, and conquer- 
ors cannot be restrainad. The enemy are at Tacubaya, and 
I will at another time give you a detailed account of Valen- 
cia's discomfiture. 



{A young Lawyer to his Fathei\) 

Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847. 

Dear Father: — The end has proved in the most unequivo- 
cal manner, the correctness of our prophecies. The brigade 
under Valencia was completely routed between 7 and 8 yes- 
terday morning, and in continuation the same fate befell the 
brigade of Perez, stationed at Coj^oacan, and the troops at 
Churubusco. 

Who is to be punished for these disasters ? The public 
voice accuses Santa Anna of having been a cold and impas- 
sible spectator of the route of Valencia, whilst his assistance 
might possibly have decided the battle in our favor. The 
Yankees surrounded Valencia, and some of them placed 
themselves between him and Santa Anna, without any inter- 
ruption from the latter. Some say that Valencia disobeyed 
the orders of Santa Anna, and Santa Anna Avas piqued by 
the disobedience, but this does not lessen the culpability of 
the rascal who gratifies a private feeling, and thereby jeopar- 
dises the most sacred interests of his country. 

The fact is that everything is lost, and the Yankees Mdll be 
here to-morrow. J. W. 



{Extract.) 

Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847. 
My Dear Brothers: — Antonio and mj'self are both well, 
thanks to God. We have received your letter, &c. 
We are in a bad way. We lost the battle on the hills of 



23 

Contreras, and that of Churubusco, and to-morrow or next 
day the Yankees will be in the capital. The Yankees have 
lost 4000 men out of the ten thousand they had, tind with 
6000 men they undertake to occupy the capital, which is al- 
most incredible. We still have about 12,000 men, and enter- 
tain hopes of final success. Farewell — do not be anxious if 
we do not write. Remember me to the girls. M. 



Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847. 
His Excellency M. O. 

My Dear Friend : — I have before me your esteemed favor 
of the 16th inst., in answer to which I give you my sincere 
thanks for your offer of going to Pateoa, and with regard to 
what you say in reference to the business. I cannot accept 
your first offer, not even were the events less complicated ; 
and with regard to the second, in order that it may not bur- 
den you, you will endeavor, notwithstanding the want of com- 
munication, to draw on me for one hundred dollars, and do 
not lose any opportunity of writing to me, in order that I may 
keep you in funds. 

It is exceedingly painful to me to communicate the distres- 
sing news of the loss of our capital, and I will endeavor, so 
far as 1 have time, to give you a circumstantial account of all 
that has happened. 

In order that we may understand ourselves, it is necessary 
to give you an idea of the general plan of defence adopted 
by our generals, or properly by Santa Anna alone. The prin- 
cipal line, running from North to South, was determined by 
the fortified points of Penon (old) Mexicalcingo, and the ha- 
cienda of San Antonio, and the extremes (flanks) were cov- 
ered by Valencia's division, which was moveable from Tex- 
cuco on the left to San Angel on the right, at the same time 
being available for the defence of the line from San Antonio 
to Chapultepec, whilst Alvarez' division of cavalry was order- 
ed upon the rear of the enemy, in order to complete their des- 
truction in case of a rout. With regard to the fortifications, 
in order that you may form some idea of them, I will say this 
— that on the road of Tlapam (San Augustin) there were for- 
tifications at San Antonio, a strong fort at Churubusco and at 
the bridge. There were some fortifications in the plain of 
Natividades, about a league from the city, and also at the 
garita (entrance) of the city, called San Antonio Abad. 

Our assembled forces amounted, at the least, to twenty-six 
thousand men, of all arms, with about seventy pieces of can- 



noil, while those of the enemy hardly reached ten thousand, 
with forty pieces of artillery, as has been reported. The sit- 
uation of the enemy was a very difficult one, as they had no 
money. At Puebla they paid one per cent, for money, and 
on the road they made purchases by drafts payable in Mexico, 
after occupation by them. 

When the news reached here on the 10th, that the enemy 
were at Rio Frio, some troops, together with the national 
guards, left the capital, to occupy and strengthen the Penon, 
where it is estimated we had about seven thousand men and 
twenty-five pieces of cannon ; Valencia was then at Texcuco 
with five thousand men and twenty-two pieces of cannon, — 
The enemy came in sight on the 11th, and on the r2th they 
came within a league of the fortifications of Penon, without 
interruption, and having made a reconnoissance, they moved 
towards Chalco, and we were then certain that the point of 
attack would be San Antonio. Therefore, it became necessa- 
ry for Valencia to move rapidly to San Angel, and the larger 
part of the troops at the Penon were ordered, with some can- 
non, to San Antonio and Churubusco. 

At these two points and at the Portalis there were over ten 
thousand men, with artillery of various calibres, from four to 
twenty-five pounders, together with large howitzers. Although 
Valencia had expressed orders to avoid a fight with the enemy 
still, the thunder of his cannon on the 19th, at about 12 oclock, 
gave notice that a fight was going on at the Pedregal (rough 
volcanic ground), near San Angel. The fight became very 
sharp at about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and Santa Anna 
drew some troops from San Antonio and proceeded towards 
the scene of battle, and joined to his troops on the road the 
brigade of reserve, composed of the brilliant 11th and the 
light battallions. With these forces, which, if they did not 
exceed, were certainly not less than three thousand men, San- 
ta Anna remained a cold spectator of the battle, although he 
sent a body of troops to dislodge a portion of the enemy's 
force in the edge of the woods, near the tower of Padierna 
(nearContreras), which were cutting off Valencia's communi- 
cations, but while marching with bayonets fixed to execute 
this order, Santa Anna ordered them to retire. He then order- 
ed two pieces of cannon to be brought up, which arrived at 
about dusk, and only about eight shots were fired, without ef- 
fect, as the evening had set in. At night Santa Anna with- 
drew his supporting force to San Angel to sleep. The oppo- 
sing forces, left in the field, lit their fires, and Valencia, in con- 
sequence of the heavy rain that fell during the night, ordered 



25 

a piquet of two hundred horse to retire, \vhi»ch had been post- 
ed in a ravine to prevent precisely what afterwards occurred.* 
At the break of day the following morning, Santa Anna no- 
tified Valencia not to continue the action, and he sent the 
auxilary brigade to the capital, he himself returning to San 
Antonio, leaving Valencia isolated, who could not then retreat, 
as he was surrounded by the enemy, who had availed them- 
selves of the night to select their own positions as they pleas- 
ed. Valencia therefore continued in his position, and met the 
enemy in a fight, which did not last over ten minutes at most, 
as one of the enemy's columns attacked him in the rear, and 
with impunity took possession of twenty-two pieces of artil- 
lery, which were pointing towards the principal body of the 
enemy in front. (The assault lasted seventeen minutes by 
the watch.) This, together with the conduct of Santa Anna, 
depressed the enthusiasm of our troops, and they were dis- 
persed, and Valencia, it is said, is gone to the South with Alva- 
rez, whose cavalry, it appears, was not able to act, owing to 
the nature of the ground, although it is said that the day pre- 
vious the cavalry made a charge upon the enemy. As far as 
1 have been able to ascertain, it appears that the troops which 
attacked Valencia were not superior to his in numbers; besides, 
that Valencia had artillery and the choice of a commanding 
position; consequently, during the fight of the afternoon of 
the 19th the advantages were on our side, and the enemy, we 
are assured, lost over two thousand men, and we, much less. 
(The American loss, on the contrary, was very trifling, not 
even fifty men.) The results of this affair depended entirely 
upon the operations of the enemy, under cover of the night, 
the natural carelessness of our generals, and of the conduct 
of Santa Anna. 

We are assured that some of Valencia's officers advised him 
to change his position on the morning of the 20th, but Valen- 
cia, determined to carry out his own plans, did not listen to 
their advice, giving the enemy time to surprise him, by an at- 
tack upon his rear. 

Every one agrees that the reciprocal conduct of Santa An- 
na and Valencia can only be explained, by supposing that 
each wished to have the glory of a triumph ; and to revenge, 
each upon the other, the sense of previous grievances. I can 
also assure you, that I heard Santa Anna give the order, after 
he heard of the defeat of Valencia, that he should be shot. 



* This refers to the night movement of the American troops, which was made 
aloiifr a ravine to the rear of Valencia's camp, by means of which a surprise was 
effected on the morning of the 20th. 



wherever he could be found. I give you this news in time, 
that you may advise his friends. 

The action, of which the above is a brief account, although 
a partial one, and very costl}" to the enemy, owing to the num- 
ber they lost, was still a decisive one, as I shall explain. 

Soon after Santa Anna returned to Churubusco, he heard 
the news of the route of Valencia, and as he thereby lost the 
only point which could protect San Antonio, he ordered that 
place to be abandoned, but without doubt, there was not one 
among our generals who knew how to direct this difficult ope- 
ration, not even Santa Anna himself, whose head is not in- 
ventive. 

Note. — When Valencia's camp was forced, the passage to 
San Angel was open, and thus San Antonio was turned by its 
right. 

I had forgotten to tell you, and it is necessary for you to 
know it, that Coapa was the general headquarters of the 
Americans, that is to say, half a league from San Antonio, a 
place which the enemy occupied with tranquility, notwith- 
standing the fire of our heavy artillery. 

From Coapa the enemy could easily perceive without glas- 
ses our movement at San Antonio, and attack us in our re- 
treat. 

Well, then, after Santa Anna heard the news of the rout of 
Valencia, he ordered the troops at San Antonio to retire and 
sustain Churubusco, and also ordered the brigade which had 
left San Angel in the morning for Mexico to return and defend 
the bridge. (Note. — Thoi'e was here a regular tdc-dcporU, ac- 
cording to the best principles of fortification.) The first part 
of the order was executed at San Antonio, some of the guns 
there being spiked and abandoned. This movement was ob- 
served by the Americans, who had not up to this moment 
moved from their position ; but when they observed our troops 
retire, and some confusion in our camp, and understood our 
design, they ordered a column to pass by the way of the Pe- 
dregal, and cut off our retreat. At the Pedregal, they met 
some of the victorious troops from Valencia's camp, passing 
by San Angel with the same object. Then, although many 
of our troops, including our best battallions of national 
guards, wished to engage in battle, there being much enthu- 
siasm among them, still the principal officers in charge of this 
retreat, would not allow them to fire, but urged their retreat, 
by a forced march — the enemy being on their left without 
firing, which circumstance we cannot understand, as they 
could have cut up our troops, the Hidalgo and Victoria na- 
tional guards. 



^7 

In this manner our forces arrived at Churubusco, from which 
place their pursuers had to receive the fire of our musketry, 
and of one or more cannons, which gave our retreating troops 
time to take breath, and lengthen the distance which separa- 
ted them from the enemy, by checking the advance of the lat- 
ter. It would be difficult to make you understand the disor- 
der which characterized this whole retreat. Only a few of 
the cannon taken from San Antonio were used at the bridge, 
as the greater part arrived too late, and while some of the re- 
treating troops were going towards Mexico, they were met by 
others from the city, going out to their assistance. Wagons 
of ammunition were going in opposite directions, some of 
which broke down, obstructing the road — people on foot and 
those on horseback were coming in collision, and many gen- 
erals were giving contradictory orders, &c., &c. 

Whilst this was going on, the fight pommenced at Churu- 
busco, under the immediate orders of Santa Anna, but as at 
this place there Avas no artillery, and no other troops but those 
of the national guards, Bravo's and Independence, the enemy 
easily cut them to pieces, before fresh troops arrived, not even 
giving us sufficient time to use the artillery brought from San 
Antonio. Moreover, the fresh troops did not find ammuni- 
tion in readiness, on account of which the 11th regiment of the 
line retired to Mexicalcinco, without having engaged in the 
fight. Finally, my friend, the bridge of Churubusco was lost 
almost Mdthout resistance, and at a great sacrifice. The bridge 
was lost beforce the advance of the retreating troops arrived 
at the garita of Mexico. The passage at the garita was very 
narrow, owing to the parapets, and made more difficult by a 
wagon which had broken down in the road. The bridge once 
lost, a party of American cavalry, small in number, drove be- 
fore them a thousand of our horsemen — then drove before 
them the retreating infantry, and the confusion became gene- 
ral. Under these circumstances, the small garrison at the ga- 
rita, fired rather upon our own men, than upon the enemy. 
This will give you an idea of the disorder which reigned 
throughout this retreat. However, the enemy's cavalry still 
advanced up to the very ditches, and one officer, horse and 
all, jumped into our parapet — another was captured and made 
prisoner, while we saw two or three of their cavalry fall. 

Whilst our troops were running into the city, dispersing in 
all directions, filled with terror, and crying that the enemy 
was coming in immediately after them. The enemy halted 
without the city, and everything is to-day tranquil on both 
sides, probably owing to an armistice obtained by the English 
Minister, or rather a capitulation, abandoning the city to the 



33 

enemy, upon which the English Minister and our Minister 
of Foreign Relations, had a talk, at about one o'clock last 
night. 

Congress has been ordered to meet, but it must fail. 

A great many of the members arc absent. I have only re- 
cited what I know from ocular witnesses, separating the cred- 
ible from the incredible. 

I conclude from want of time, and because both the pen and 
writer are used up. 

Good bye, my friend, — and I hope that God will not permit 
you to witness as many misfortunes as your friend. L. V. 



Don J. P. F.: 

(After detailing the events as usual down to the midst of the 
fight at Ciiurubusco, the writer goes on to say : ) 

The cavalry was ordered to make a charge, but these cow- 
ards refused to do it — nevertheless the action was well sus- 
tained, but the Yankees a Ivanced their right wing as far as 
the edge of the river, so that the river only separated us from 
them — ^then our infantry in front dispersed, and at their ex- 
ample the fortifications in front (on the road, i. e. the tclc-de- 
pont) were abandoned, afterwards the right (i. e. Churubusco), 
when it saw itself alone — -and then the retreat became a dis- 
persion, the enemy following close upon the rearguard, even 
to the very ditches of the garita (gate). At twenty yards from 
the garita, there was an American officer killed, who was 
about to kill Santa Anna with his sword. This is the history 
of the battles. 

The morale o^ihe, army has been lost, and all enthusiasm ex- 
tinguished ; nevertheless, the enemy has lost about 2000 men, 
while we still have 16,000, and if there was a head to these, 
we could still conquer. 

The regiments of Victoria and Hidalgo have dissolved so as 
not to fight. 

An armistice is in discussion, on the basis, that the capital 
shall not be attacked, and that the Yankees will take nothing 
without paying for it — and they will encamp in the neighbor- 
hood. This armistice will serve to collect the dead, and ar- 
range a peace. The reflections which these events give rise 
to, are so natural that I omit them. We shall soon see each 
other, for if peace is made, I am going where you are, and no 
less if the army take Mexico, as I am resolved never to live in 
a place commanded by them. I will never witness the degra- 
dation of the occupation of our capital by the enemy. My 
blood boils at witnessing so much cowardico, so much inapti- 
tude and infamy, and one must either die, or fly from this 



2& 

country, which is stamped with the b-eal of Divine reprobation 
and God seems to have written against us the words of the 
feast of Belshazzar. Tears spring from the eyes, and despair 
seizes the soul, when it is seen that there is only among us a 
capacity for vice, and that everything is desecrated by a demor- 
alized people. I recommend to you my family. Give my 
love, &c. &c. I. U. 



(This letter was written by a member of Congress.) 

Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847. 

To J. M. and J. — My Dear Friend:— \ have none of 5'our es- 
teemed letters to answer, but I take the pen to recite some 
lamentable events — not lamentable on account of the blood 
shed, which has been but little considering the number of 
combatants engaged, but because we have not the shadow of 
honor left. 

The battle commenced about noon on the 19th, against Va- 
lencia's division, which lasted until 2 P. M., the next day, 
there being nothing but a continual series of routs and a series 
of errors committed by our generals and subordinate officers, 
who were filled with fear, terror and cowardice, causing a 
confusion among the soldiery impossible to reduce to order. 
Even women would have done better. 

The consequence of all this is, that all our materiel of war 
fell into the hands of the enemy, together Avith the fortifica- 
tions from Mexicalcingo to San Angel, including San Anto- 
nio, Churubusco, Paizzacola, and in fact all the fortifications 
in the valley. The dead, wounded and dispersed were horri- 
ble to be seen in the city, and an immense cloud of officers 
rapidly traversing the streets, making it appear that they 
were occupied about something, in order to avoid meeting the 
enemy. 

Nothing has been left for the salvation of the capital but 
an armistice obtained by the British Minister, as the American 
army is at our very gates, and we have nothing left but the 
dirt that flies through our streets to defend the capital — that is 
to say, there is no morale left among us. 

You will see, my dear friend, from my solemn predictions, 
that I have the sad vanity of always approaching the truth. 
However, I will lay aside this gloomy picture — abandon it 
entirely, and take myself to the bosom of my family, there to 
mourn the errors of my too ambitious brothers, whom we are 
to thank for all our misfortunes. I salute you for the last time 
with the name of Mexican, but shall always continue to do so 
as a much attached friend. F. S. J. 



Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847. 

Dear * * — I will tell you something I know and something 
I have seen in this accursed Babylon. It is said there is a 
suspension of arms, with the object of hearing some proposi- 
tions made by Scott, but what is most probable is that the 
Mexican army will abandon the city, taking all their train, 
that the enemy may occupy it. A member of Congress has 
just said to me that there is a commission actually sitting on 
this subject at the lodge. 

The greatest consternation reigns in the city. Some accuse 
Valencia (among others the charlatan F. Carbajal) ; others, 
and the larger part, throw the blame on Santa Anna. The 
troops are at the southern gate, but I perceive much coward- 
ice. The city is fall of dispersed, drunken, roguish soldiers. 
Almost all the houses are shut, and in the cotfee houses the 
same officers are boasting a great deal whom we saw run 
from the battle-field ground. The end is, the capital is lost. 

Santa Anna has ordered out the cavalry by Guadalupe, the 
object of which you know as well as I. The battalion of To- 
luca came last night from the Penon, to occupy one of the 
gates of the city, I know not which. The other force, that of 
General Norrigo, is at San Francisco, and the guerrilla of Mr. 
Rivera is in the citadel. Having been found in the rout yes- 
terday from Churubusco, the battalions of Victoria and Hidal- 
go have been dissolved, while those of Independence and 
Bravo who escaped with life, are prisoners. 

To all appearance, this farce will be finished to-morrow. 

MANUEL N. G. 



Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847. 
My Dear Mother: — In great haste I write to you this letter, so 
that you may receive news of your husband and son. Yester- 
day the division of Valencia and other troops from that place 
were routed by the Yankees — and as it may be of interest to 
you (at Morelia) I advise you that the troops from that place 
have not yet come into action. All those from Morelia are in 
good health, and although the Yankees have lost a good 
many — the devil be with them ! — nevertheless, things are in a 
bad state . May God help us happily out. Manuel is still in 
Chapultepec, and it appears that they do not intend to attack 
that place, as they extend from the Penon to the San Antonio 
Abad. Who knows what is to come of this ? Pray to God to 
deliver us. My dear Mother, it is impossible to give an idea 
of the present state of Mexico. It is in the most deplorable 
condition. Only mournful faces are seen. May the Supreme 
Being defend us. Do not believe all you hear, for many lies 



31 

are circulated. Mother, God of Heaven alone can assist us in 
our trouble. Things are in a terrible state. His Divine Ma- 
jesty has sent these devils to punish us for our sins. These 
are the fruits of our domestic quarrels, for only by this could 
these devils have so scorned a nation, but it is very difficult for 
them to conquer us. I again reiterate my love and aflection 
to (family people). J. M. G. 



{From a Young Lady) 

Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847. 

My much-loved Uncle : — Considering that you would be un- 
easy on our account under present circumstances, I write to 
relieve your mind. Everything is lost, and I believe there is 
no hope left for us. Day before yesterday Valencia had a 
fight with the enemy near Contreras, and it was supposed he 
was victorious ; but the next morning he lost everything. — 
Yesterday some national guards, at San Antonio, had a small 
fight, and the Battalions of Hidaglo and Victoria ran like 
cowards, as also did the cavalry and the 11th and 3d light in- 
fantry. 

(The Battalions of Hidaglo and Victoria, also those of In- 
dependence and Bravo, were called Polkas, and were compo- 
sed of the more independent citizens of Mexico. The two 
first were ordered to retire from San Antonio and did not en- 
gage in the fight. The two last were at Churubusco and 
were taken prisoners, those that were not killed. This is the 
Mexican account in many letters.) 

This is a strange fatality, and it seems that our troops are 
good for nothing but to boast. I only hear them cry " there 
come the yankees" overcome with terror and running a whole 
•league without stopping to take breath ; from which fact I 
have no hope that resistance can be made at the garitas, as 
is intended. You will see what will happen if a defence is 
attempted ; they "will all run and there their history will end. 

Ruperto saved himself, as he had the luck to run away in 
company with the Victorias, and he is now safe with his dear 
aunt and quite tranquil. 

It appears impossible that 12,000 men under the command 
of Scott should put to flight and entirely cowed 32,000 of our 
men. 

[The American army M-as less than 10,000, and there were 
not over 7,000 in the fight.] 

It confounds reason. It is opposite to reason and almost 
incredible, but neverthele.-^s true. This misfortune has no 
remedy, and the affair must soon end, as we can do nothing. 

Do not believe the thousand lies our troops may tell and of 



32 

'which they boast. You know that even here a thousand lies 
are told coming only from the distance of our next neighbor, 
therefore, how much more exaggerated they will be when 
travelling to you. Do not be afflicted, but hold all you hear 
in quarantine. Recommend yourself to God and trust in him, 
and he will take care of us. MARIA. 

P. S. — Dear Uncle, I refer you to my sister's letter for the 
news. I can add nothing to it but that we, the Mexicans, 

are JUAN. 

[The blank is not filled in the original.] 



Mexico, Aug. 20th, 1847. 

* * I know not how to begin to write these few lines, 
giving you the destiny of this unfortunate city, the theatre of 
one of the most horrible of wars. Yesterday the enemy and 
the division of Valencia came in contact among the hills of 
San Angel, and maintained, on one and the other side, a most 
horrible firing from 12 o'clock until night. 

This morning it was seen that Valencia had abandoned his 
position, and it is said they are prisoners with the artillery. 
At 3 o'clock, p. M., we have had another well disputed action 
between San Antonio and another little town called " Los 
Arcos" (Churubusco ?): it w^as likewise lost, the troops reti- 
ring in disorder to the gate of San Antonio Abad, where it is 
expected they will fight to-morrow and the day after, proba- 
bly, at the palace. 

It is a shame to have it said, that ten thousand men subju- 
gated a city of two hundred thousand inhabitants, and an 
army of thirty thousand men that defended it. It appears 
that there is neither tactics, nor genius, nor fortune among us. 
God save us, for certainly his justice has decreed our ruin. 

M.S. 



August 20th. 
Anita : — I have entered the city of Mexico to witness the 
ignominy of my country. Fear and consternation pervade 
the whole city. I do not fear the enemy, who have suffered 
much, but I have no confidence in our dispersed soldiers, who 
are all of them robbers, most of them drunk, and may braek 
open the houses. To-morrow this farce must be concluded. 
To-morrow I go to Tlahupantle, to lament, in the bosom of 
my family, the misfortune of being a Mexican, and having 
children born in this nation of corruption and evil. M. G. 



[The letter is well written, giving the usual account of the 



defeat of Valencia, and the successful attack at Churubusco, 
and concludes as follows : 

Mexico, August 21st, 
/. O. — In fact, we have lost the greatest part of the flower 
of the army, and almost all of our artillery. However, we 
have still from seven to eight thousand men, who are in 
charge of the garitas (city entrances,) which, if well protect- 
ed, we could still gain a day of glory for our nation, routing 
the enemy, who have lost nearly half of their forces, and are 
now stationed within gun-shot of the garitas, at * * * * 
and San Angel. All I can say is, that the events of the day 
are inconceivable, considering the immense number of troops 
we have brought together, the instruction and discipline they 
have undergone, and the resources we have obtained with 
great labor. Our triumph appeared to be certain. * * 



(2c? Extract.) 

Mexico, Aug. 21. 
My Dear Jesusita : — It never passed my imagination, nor 
could I have believed that I should to-day be obliged to give 
you news so opposite to our hopes, with regard to the resist- 
ance which the enemy would have to encounter. You will 
remember that on Wednesday last, the division of San Luis 
was under command of Valencia (referring to the regular 
troops from San Luis Potosi). He moved from Tacubaya, 
and encamped on the hills of the Magdalena, (near the village 
of Contreras), in order to impede the march of the enemy 
from San Augustin, through the Pedregal, (i. e., broken volca- 
nic grounds, full of pointed stones, and great chasms nearly 
impassable from their own character), to take possession of 
Santa Fe and Tacubaya. In this manner it appeared that 
everything for defence was perfectly well arranged. But on 
Thursday afternoon (the 19th Aug.), we heard an unexpected 
sound like that of cannon. I instantly went to the top of the 
house, and distinctly saw a large volume of smoke towards 
the village of San Geronimo, near San Angel. From the di- 
rection of the smoke, as I looked through a glass, I supposed 
that Valencia was attacking the enemy with a heavy fire of 
artillery, not answered by the enemy, who retired at dusk, 
thereby leaving me to believe he had been repulsed. I there- 
fore went to bed, indulging hopes ; but the enemy was too 
astute to go to sleep. It is said that the enemy intended to 
pass by the way of Contreras, but I believed that their only 
object that afternoon (the 19th) was to make a reconnois- 
sance of Valencia's camp, as proved to be the case. During 
the night there was a heavy fall of rain, which continued until 
3 



34 

morning. I woke up early on the 20th, and thought that I 
heard a distant sound like thunder. I ascended to the roof 
of the house at a quarter past six, and saw a heavy smoke 
immediately over the broken ground of San Geronimo. It 
was an active fire of artillery, which lasted but a very short 
time, and I left the top of the house under the firm belief that 
the enemy had either been routed or repulsed, as the position 
which Valencia occupied was very advantageous. But what 
was my astonishment when, at about 10 o'clock, the news 
spread that Valencia had been surprised by the enemy's at- 
tacking him on all sides, and completely routing him. I 
would not at first believe it, and cannot describe my feelings, 
when I found it to be the truth. I was overpowered by rage 
and desperation. No event has ever caused me such an im- 
pression. At about 12 o'clock, an attack was made at Chu- 
rubusco, the hacienda of Tlalpam and San Antonio. The 
firing lasted until 2 p. m., more or less, and the result was, 
that our troops were driven and retired from their positions, 
which positions had been occupied by the largest portion of 
the national guards, and on whom every body had confided. 
The cause of the disaster is attributed to Valencia, who, it is 
said, did not obey the orders of Santa Anna, and attacked be- 
fore the proper time. According to public opinion, Santa 
Anna was the only general who behaved well, for he sustain- 
ed the fire of the enemy at San Antonio for two hours, and 
covered the retreat of the Polkas {gentlemen soldiers), who, but 
for him, would have been destroyed, plunging the whole city 
in grief and mourning. Santa Anna was obliged to retire to 
the city, and the enemy occupied the positions. 

The battalions of Victoria and Hidaglo, (the Polkas), enter- 
ed the city without loss, and that of Independence was cap- 
tured. To-day we have no news, but I suspect that the 
enemy is arranging his plans to take the city, where we have 
more forces than he imagines. J. S. 



Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847. 

* * Heartstick, and filled with indignation, I was prepa- 
ring to give you, by mail, news of the fatal rout our army had 
suffered, when we had the satisfaction to receive your favor, 
and in answer to which I will merely give you the most essen- 
tial particulars, and true, leaving for the present small mat- 
ters that are of little moment. 

On the evening of the 19th, Gen. Valencia met with the en- 
emy, who, not fulfilling the imprudent hopes of our chiefs, 
took the route, as ought to have been expected, by San Angel, 
to the hills of Santa Fe, to gain possession of Chepultepec. — 



35 

Between this and San Angel, and another called La Magdale- 
na, began a well disputed action, and if our army did not ac- 
quire a complete triumph, it could not at any rate be said, 
that they fought with a bad result. The pass was fiercely dis- 
puted by each of the forces, which retained their position at 
night, Valencia for the time checking the advance of the ene- 
my. But, as the Americans are sharp and industrious, they 
took advantage of the darkness of the night, made more dark 
by heavy rains, and placed their troops, without being sus- 
pected, so as to open a fire on the 20th, on both Valencia and 
San Antonio. At 5 a. m. his batteries commenced an active 
and terrible fire on the points referred to, and Gen. Valencia 
(it is said, disobeying the orders of Santa Anna,) marched with 
his force against them, but was entirel}^ routed. (The writer 
gives the rumors as they reached the citj^ — Gen. V. was at- 
tacked in his camp, and did not advance.) Gen Santa Anna 
went to assist him, with all those that were at his command 
(at hand). But the enemy had placed itself so advantageous- 
ly, that the camp Avas surrounded by a circle of fire, so con- 
stant that our troops lost spirit, and accustomed by bad luck 
to run, they broke up in such disorder that by 12 o'clock the 
camp was in the hands of the enemy, and the few troops we 
had left entered the capital at 3 o'clock p. m., with Gen. San- 
ta Anna, followed by the enemy, within gun shot of the forti- 
fications, at the gate of San Antonio Abad — from whence they 
returned, when some shots wefe fired from the fortifications. 
Trains of Artillery, cannon, ammunition — all that belong to 
our army fell into the hands of the enemy, for the dispersion 
was horrid. Our loss in dead, wounded and dispersed, is reck- 
oned at six thousand men. The loss of the enemy is said to 
be greater, but you know that this way of expression among 
us is the fashion. The account I have given you I received 
from Olacta, who was among the dispersed and as an eye wit- 
ness can be relied on. 

The enemy are now at the gates of the city, possessed of 
Churubusco. Some of our troops are at El Nino Perdido La 
Piedad, and the rest are in barracks, and since 3 o'clock j'es- 
terday there has been a profound silence. I cannot tell why 
the enemy has not entered the capital, nor why, if it is still to 
be defended, that our troops have retired to their barracks, 
from which they have not moved all day. The firing has en- 
tirely ceased. The enemy are at the gates and our troops are 
in their barracks ; the one advances no further, the other makes 
no movement for defence. It is not known that a cessation 
of hostilities has been agreed upon. In this state of things 
we are all stupefied. You hear nothing in the streets but the 



36 

question, what has happened? All throw the fault on Santa 
Anna. 'Tis said he throws the fault on Valencia, accusing 
him of disobedience of orders. 

* * The only news we have at present is, that it appears 
that we intend to defend the capital, and that we expect every 
moment that the enemy will begin to bombard it. If this 
should happen, you can figure to yourself how much would 
be suffered by this beautiful city and its inhabitants — and in 
the end we shall have to suffer the humiliation of witnessing 
the entrance of our conquerors, for I do not perceive the smal- 
lest hopes of a triumph. We have no artillery — we have no 
troops — we have nothing. Our army ran at the first. We 
suffered yesterday a complete defeat, and still talk about ma- 
king resistance! I do not disapprove of it, for it is necessary to 
defend the capital at its last entrenchments, because the na- 
tional decorum requires it ; but I repeat that it is useless. 

This is the situation at present of the Mexicans, I had better 
say of those that unhappily are Mexicans. It is not difficult 
to see the future; a nation of eight millions of souls domi- 
neered over by twenty thousand vandals. If at any time we 
have deserved compassion among nations, we now merit op- 
probrium. I am a Mexican, and if God does not deprive me 
of life, I shall have to outlive this humiliation, and witness to- 
morrow — perhaps to-morrow itself — the destruction of one half 
of the capital and the occupation by our conquerors ; and not 
to be permitted to fight for its defence for fear of another 
ignominy ! This is a most desperate situation ! It is three 
years the 11th of the present month since I entered public life, 
and I have suffered all that you are aware of, but I did not 
know what it was to suffer till now. Who can doubt that 
this is a chastisement from Heaven ! It is rare that the Host 
is exhibited, but on the fight of the 19th, and until 9 o'clock at 
night, the Divine Host was shown in the church of Mexico. — 
The temples were full of Mexicans, praying to God for a tri- 
umph of our arms. The day following, from 7 a. m. to 9 p. m., 
it was entirely a different spectacle : the sireets were full of 
soldiers, bathed in blood, who were continually rending the 
air with their cries and lamentations, mingled with words of 
insolence for their bad fortune, as they crawled to their doors 
or the hospitals. Carts might be seen, with litters, carrying 
the severely wounded who could not travel on foot, and ifrom 
their beds of anguish was heard the most heart-rendering 
complaints, which were mingled with the shrieks of women 
who like demented people straggled about the streets without 
any particular object, lamenting the fate of their friends, of 
whose fate they were ignorant. The church steeples and most 



elevated points were crowded by numbers of people, who still 
remained in their positions after witnessing the issue of the 
comba-t, their countenances the pictures of consternation. — 
During the combat some were immoveably transfixed, others 
were violently startled by cannon; soldiers were seen running 
without muskets, and Pollcas (national guards) wrapped in 
their blankets, their heads covered with slouched hats. What 
gave the last sad coloring to this picture was, the retiring of 
soldiers to their barracks in the evening, about one eighth of 
their original number, some without cartridge-boxes, some 
wdthout arms, and all bedaubed with mud from head to foot. 
The night before, prayers were oifered up in behalf of each 
soldier in particular and for the nation in general; but the fol- 
lowing day we witnessed the catastrophe. How painful to 
say this ! what human power can oppose such a plague? 

When I saw the Divinity exposed the previous night, I con- 
ceived hopes because [ saw we looked to help more powerful 
than any recourse of the enemy. I have seen the result, and 
this forces me to believe that it is nothing less than the chas- 
tisement of Heaven, and this is my reason for saying, as I 
have said, that all resistance is useless, although I judge it ne- 
cessary for the decorum of the nation. 

The description which I have attempted to give, though sor- 
rowful in the extreme for a Mexican, is nevertheless exact ; 
and I have given it against my will, for I would have wished 
to save you pain, but you requested the exact truth, and I will 
continue to advise you of what may happen. To-day all is 
tranquil ; I hope in God this calm may not be followed by a 
storm. JUAN G. 



Mexico, x^ug. 21, 1847. 

* * * * # * J likewise send you a diary of the events 
from the 19th to this date, by which you will see the pitiable 
situation in which we are placed, if not by bad faith, at least 
by the most visible incapacity. Santa Anna is now the object 
of public execration. The general opinion, is that his enemy, 
Valencia, is the cause of the death of so many who died by 
the side of that general, upon whom Santa Anna throws the 
blame of all, and has even said that whenever he finds him he 
will have him shot. 

Those that were in the camp complain that nothing was 
done but by order of Santa Anna ; that he would not allow 
the least deliberation, from which it resulted that Bravo would 
not offer even advice, and gave no orders in the matter, so 
the disorder became frightful. 

Unhappy country ! unhappy ourselves ! if, in the end, we 



have to receive in this capital our vanquishers. One idea 
gives me consolation — according to what I have been told, 
there are only six thousand Yankees left, and althoug'h we 
have yet more than twelve thousand. I will be content to 
lose another battle, if Ave have one, as we shall lose, for our 
soldiers will run, but two thousand more Yankees will be kil- 
led, only four thousand will then remain, and with these or- 
der cannot be kept in Mexico. We are in the last struggles of 
the drowned. What a shame! MIGUEL M. 



{Diary of the War.) 

August 19, at 9 A. M., a dense cloud of smoke was seen in 
the hacienda of San Antonio, caused by the fire of our artil- 
lery, directed against a column of the enemy who were com- 
ing against them. The enemy retreated and^took the route 
by San Angel. Valencia is situated with his division upon 
the hills of Contreras, (i. e. the route by San Angel,) and at 
about 1 o'clock P. M., he commenced firing his artillery, and 
continued without ceasing until half-past 6, sometimes so ra- 
pidly that we counted eight shots per minute, although more 
commonly only four or five. At 6, P. M., some unfavorable 
rumors came to the city ; it Avas said that the enemy had ta- 
ken six pieces of artillery from Valencia, a matter impossible 
to believe, because, from the roof of the house, we could see 
that, far from retreating, our troops had charged upon the en- 
emy, who was sij^uated in a lower position, and to appear- 
ance, in a hollow, and was not at first to be seen, and the po- 
sition was only known by the smoke of his firing. 

20th, betAveen 6 and a quarter after, A. M., the firing com- 
menced in the same place yesterday, the artillery slowly but 
the musketry sharply, very sharply. It was heard perfectly 
AA^ell in the main plaza, and sounded like the rattle of a drum. 
At 10 A. M., we received the ncAvs that Gen. Valencia's bri- 
gade, which had sustained itself the previous day, had been 
flanked and attacked in front, and on both sides, after first cut- 
ting off his retreat, and of consequence he Avas completely 
routed and dispersed, except tAvo hundred and fifty prisoners, 
who remained in the hands of the enemy, and tAventy-three 
pieces of cannon. 

[Note. — There Avere oA'er a thousand prisoners.] 

At 11 o'clock the dispersed began to arrive, all coA^ered with 
mud, some with their uniforms and muskets, others without 
them, and from that time till about 1 p. m., the Avounded con- 
tinued to arrive, some in litters, asking mercy of HeaA'en, and 
others on foot, Avith their corpse like countenances still drop- 
ping blood. 



39 

As soon as Santa Anna received notice of the defeat of Va- 
lencia, (whom, it is said, he might have aided to advantage, 
but did not, because he said he had not ordered Valencia to 
engage in fight,) he ordered the camp at San Antonio to be 
raised, and begin the retreat on Mexico. Here the disorder 
began, the soldiers in some corps were altogether without 
chiefs, and only employed themselves in taking away the can- 
non from the batteries. The enemy, who was observing all 
our movements from the hacienda of Coapan, detached a col- 
umn of about three thousand men on our left wing, with the 
object of flanking us and afterwards besieging 8 an Antonio, 
but we pushed the movement of our troops, in spite of the 
confusion, so that the enemy only gained his object in a very 
small degree, intercepting a small portion of our troops and 
capturing two pieces of spiked cannon that were left in the 
hacienda, where, in a very few moments after the battallions 
of Hidalgo and Victoria had left it, there were heard the mus- 
ketry of the enemy, not of the column that had been detach- 
ed, but of another body that came directly down the road, and 
soon took the place. 

Following the retreat of our troops, we came to the bridge, 
where Santa Anna was found fortifying himself with activity, 
and where we were united with the brigade of Perez, and we 
heard the firing at Churubusco, which point was defended by 
the battalions of Independence and Bravo, who gave up very 
soon, and probably are prisoners. The enemy advanced 
against the bridge, where the firing was maintained about an 
hour, but in the end we lost, with a great sacrifice of men 
and an immense quantity of ammunition there and at Chur- 
ubusco. From this till half-past 2, the battalions of Hidalgo 
and Victoria arrived, sunburnt, tired and hungry, their feet 
all blistered and in desperation, as they had brought in their 
guns as they had carried them out. 

[All Mexican accounts agree, that these two battalions did 
not fire a shot.] 

They had an opportunity, not only to annoy the enemy, but 
to repulse him, but they never received an order to fire at all. 

Oar troops were at night at the gates of La Viga, Cando- 
laria and Nino Perdido. Some had gone to Chapultepec, oth- 
ers to their barracks. 

The enemy remained in possession of the haciendas Por- 
talis, Santanita and other towns of the neighborhood. 

It is said that our loss in killed, wounded and prisoners, is 
about four thousand men. The loss of the enemy is said to 
be five thousand ; we will see the truth in time. 



40 

(Note. — The American loss was, altogether, a little over 
one thousand.) 

August 21st. — This is a day of the most complete confu- 
sion ; friends are looked for — some are found, some are not : 
of course affliction and tears are universal. It is said there 
is an armistice for forty-eight hours, for the purpose of bury- 
ing the dead and collecting the wounded, and there is some 
talk about propositions of peace. Some battalions have re- 
tired from the gates to their quarters, and although I under- 
stand nothing, I understand this less. 

The fault is generally laid upon Santa Anna ; all are in- 
censed, mad against him, even his most admitted friends. I 
believe the devils will take every thing, and now I have not a 
doubt the Yankees will enter the city, although it is said they 
have only six thousand men. 



Doings and Results on Thursday and Friday^ 19th and 20th Au- 
gust. 
On Thursday, Gen. Valencia, to impede the progress of the 
enemy, took a position with his division on the hills of the ha- 
cienda Alsado [alias Magdalena — Contreras, &c.,] where he 
fought until dusk. Valencia had twenty or twenty-five pieces 
of artillery, and the Americans four mountain pieces. Gen. 
Santa Anna went to the aid of Valencia between four and 
half-past four in the afternoon, with four or five thousand men, 
but he advised Valencia to avoid a fight ; but he, thinking 
his position advantageous, and Abashing to encounter the 
Americans, disregarded the advice. During the combat, 
which commenced at about two o'clock in the afternoon, the 
forces under the command of Valencia were separated from 
those brought down by Santa Anna for his relief, but they 
had means of communication still open, and Valencia asked 
assistance of Santa Anna, in order to resist a new attack 
from the enemy. Gen. Santa Anna retired with his division 
to San Angel, [four or five miles,] quite satisfied, as he ex- 
pressed himself, that he had saved the republic, for which he 
was cheered by the troops, who remained at San Angel ; but 
he, not finding a convenient bed at San Angel, continued on, 
and slept at Churubusco. On Friday morning a new attack 
was made on Valencia, whose camp was carried by the bay- 
onet, and he lost his artillery, and his division was either 
killed, taken prisoners or dispersed — but Valencia, of course, 
saved himself Santa Anna left San Angel so late in the 
morning, to return to Valencia, that he heard of Valencia's 
defeat on his way there to him. Every one agrees that Va- 
lencia committed a great fault in not obeying the orders of the 



41 

commander-in-chief, but Santa Anna should have united all 
his disposable force to assist Valencia, in order to destroy the 
common enemy. Various reflections occur upon the conduct 
of vSanta Anna, who has given orders that Valencia shall be 
shot wherever he may be found. It is said that Valencia an- 
swered the order to retire or avoid a fight with the enemy — 
that he thought his position advantageous, and as a Mexican 
and as a soldier he could not obey the orders of a traitor and 
a coward, &c. &c. About noon, a division of the enemy ap- 
proached, which it is supposed was under the order of Scott 
himself, to attack San Antonio. Santa Anna ordered the few 
pieces of heavy ordnance he had there to be spiked, and re- 
tired with the light pieces to Churubusco, where a bloody en- 
gagement took place, and it is said that the Americans lost a 
great many men. Santa Anna directed the defence of that 
point with the brigade of Perez, (the 1st, 3d, and 4th light in- 
fantry, and the 11th of the line,) the Batt'n of National 
Guards, Independence and Bravo, the Piquet of St. Patrick, 
and various other corps. The Piquet of St. Patrick, it is 
said, was almost totally destroyed. 

(This Piquet, so called, was composed of deserters from the 
American army, and about 80 of them were taken prisoners 
and are now under trial for their lives.) 

It is not known where the Batt'ns of Independence and 
Bravo are. The light infantry and the 11th regiment kept up 
at the commencement a heavy fire, but on the approach of 
the enemy within pistol shot they fled. Nothing is known of 
Perez. At about 5 o'clock in the afternoon Santa Anna en- 
tered this place with a large body of cavalry and with near- 
ly all the brigade of Perez, the Batt'ns of National Guards, 
Hidalgo and Victoria, which never burnt a single cartridge — 
and various other corps. Santa Anna went to the Palace 
and the troops to their quarters. The result of the actions of 
this day has been the loss of 45 pieces of artillery — of the 
dead, wounded, prisoners and dispersed we have no certain 
information. An army of twenty thousand men and more 
than 50 pieces of artillery (I speak of those that were used) 
has been routed by another of nine or ten thousand, without 
artillery, and without knowing the ground, and while we had 
the advantage of selecting our positions. It is then clear that 
our army does not deserve the name of soldiers, and it were 
better that it did not exist. The incapacity of our generals 
is astonishing, but even more so their cowardice, and that of 
the greater part of the soldiers ; although they are very brave 
in the commission of brutalities. It is said, among other 
things, that an unfortunate American officer on horseback ap- 



42 

preached too close to one of the batteries against his \\'ill, his 
horse having ran away; when within pistol shot he was 
wounded in the foot, and fell crying out that he surrendered ; 
but this did not avail him, he was murdered without being 
able to oppose resistance.* If we compare the deeds of our 
soldiers with their boasting and fanfaronades, as they are daily 
published, even in the government journal, one is ashamed, 
and the few Mexicans who are abroad will hide their faces. 
Well, then, we now have the valiant General-in-Chief, Pres- 
ident of the Republic, &c. &c. &c., again in the palace, and 
a great many troops in their quarters. We will see what he 
intends to do with the remainder of the army, without moral, 
without honor or valor, but yet with a great many ignorant 
generals, officers and leaders, corrupt and coward on the field 
of battle, but great talkers and boasters, only fit to dress for 
show in their gaudy uniforms. 



Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847. 

My Never- Forgotten and Beloved Catita : — Yesterday there 
was a great fight with the Yankees, which cost a heavy loss 
to those accursed enemies ; nevertheless the division of Va- 
lencia was routed. To-day who knows what v^dll happen ! 
In order that you may not be alarmed, T take advantage of 
these moments to write by to-day's mail, that you may not 
miss a letter and grieve over it. The Great Being must hate 
us. 

One of my feet has been hurt, and for that reason I have 
remained in my quarters, but you need not fear, as it is not 
of importance, my ankle being only strained as my horse fell 
with me. 

In consequence of the blow which the greater part of V a- 
lencia's division has suffered, it is thought that trouble is com- 
ing, but I think the Mexicans are still in good resolution. Al- 
though the Yankees will enter Mexico, it does not follow that 
they will be the conquerors of the Mexican nation. Through 
the misfortune we will be obliged to abandon the capital, and 
these bad men will remain masters of the territory they tread, 
and the whole nation will rise in a mass and destroy them. 

Catita, God permits things to go to a certain point in order 
to undeceive us, but he afterw^ards sends consolation to the 
afflicted. This Eternal and Incomprehensible Being will pro- 
tect us and send us comfort. I onlj' beg you will not afflict 
yourself, and pray Him to favor me and preserve me. Salute 
all my relatives and friends, and you and my children receive 
the love I always have for you. C. 

* This was Major Mills, 15th Regiment of Infantry. 



43 

P. S. Say to Senora Petra that Andrew escaped in safety, 
and that the troop to which Francisco belonged did not fight, 
and also to pray to God for them and for me ; also the troops of 
Morelia did not go into action, and so far they are well and 
God will favor us. Do not afiiict yourself, Catita, God pro- 
tects the just and will bring us through in safety. 
Private. (This was written on a separate slip.) 
Catita — I will do everything not to expose myself to dan- 
ger, and if permitted I will try to find means to go to La Pie- 
dad or C . Be prepared to send for your uncle. Do not 

show this little piece of paper to any one. Destroy it, and 
keep this to yourself alone. But if you M'ish to see me, I will 
send for you from the place to which I may go. Be prepa- 
red, and 1 will write to you under the name of G. P., or under 
that of my god-mother. Da. M., for so I proposed to you. 



(This letter shows the confidence of the Mexicans before the 
fight.) 

Mexico, Aug. 19, 1847. 

* * * Judging from the enthusiasm and positions of our 
troops, and our good fortifications, we hope for a complete 
triumph for the Mexicans, as the enemy's force is much infe- 
rior to ours in numbers,' 



{From a Member of Congress.) 

Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847. 
Loved Friend: — The 19th and 20th of August have been to 
Mexico days of mourning and ignominy, as Ave have lost a 
great many valiant Mexicans, and our immense army has 
been routed by a handful of adventurers. We are all cho- 
king with grief at such a catastrophe, and we fear the sad 
consequences of the tiiumph of the enemy. The enemy has 
not yet entered the city, but they are at our very gates, await- 
ing the answer of our government, w^ho has already entered 
into negotiations for peace. What will follow this negotia- 
tion, God knows? What does the United States want, who 
knows ? Congress cannot assemble, nor will it assemble ; 
therefore I shall go to you in a few days, as I am anxious 
to see you and my family Work for 5'our country. Do not 
cease your labor. Do what you can to protect the public in- 
stitutions, the arts, sciences, industry and agriculture. 

L. B. 



Mexico, 20th Aug., 1847. 
To E. (a Member of Congress). 
Much Respected and Esteemed Friend: — To-day, after the 



44 

complete rout of the brilliant northern division under the 
command of Valencia, who was posted in the tower of San 
Geronimo (Contreras), I hastened to the city to see what I 
should do with my house. During the day I heard of the 
death of Guadalupe Pedrigan. The battalions of Victoria 
and Hidalgo abandoned San Antonio without entering into 
the fight, but those of Independence and Bravo sustained 
themselves well at Churubusco until they were abandoned. 
The enemy is now at the Hacienda Portalis. The division 
under Rangel was formed this morning in the Plaza, and or- 
dered to march and take possession of a place called La Viga. 
Gen. Tornel, with many staff officers, have gone to the same 
place. Gen. Santa Anna has just passed here with General 
Lombardini. The troops have been ordered to their quarters, 
but have left the cannons at the garitas, prepared to meet an 
attack in the morning. * * The invaders will certainly 
enter the city on Monday. 

(x'Vnother letter of the 21st Aug. says :) 

The brilliant and selected division under Gen. Valencia, 
who occupied an advantageous position on the hills near San 
Angel, near the factor}'- of Magdalena, had a skirmish with 
some of Scott's troops, who attempted to force their way to 
Tacubaya on Thursday last. The fire^ was sustained well on 
our part until dark, without losing an inch of ground. But on 
Friday morning the Americans, who \<(ere keen, attacked Va- 
lencia in the front and on both flanks, forced their way into 
his camp, routing him completely, and remained in possession 
of his artillery and all his munitions of war. I cannot account 
for this result, and I do not give you any further facts, for I 
prefer to ignore them. * * * * * 

The battalions of Victoria and Hidalgo abandoned San Anto- 
nio, and were not in the fight. They arrived in the city with- 
out loss, only suffering from fatigue. Gen. Salas, Pedrigan 
and Frontera are prisoners. 

Santa Anna sustained a heavy fire in his retreat, causing 
the enemy great injury, but thereby protected the retreat of 
the troops. It is also said that Gen. Rincon is prisoner. 

* * We have yet a respectable body of troops in 

Mexico, but Gen. Scott has allowed an armistice in order to 
allow Congress to meet and consider the subject of peace. 
There is no telling what will happen to-morrow. 



Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847. 
L. R. — My Dear Uncle: — My heart is oppressed with grief, 
and I can give you but a very slight sketch of the unfortunate 



45 

results of the battles of the 19th and 20th, and of the misfor- 
tunes of our Mexican nation. 

Gen. Valencia was pushed near the factory of Magdalena, 
where he was attacked by 10,000 Americans on the 19th, who 
endeavored to force their passage that way against 4,000 Mex- 
icans, and had not General Perez come to the assistance of 
Valencia, taking position on his left flank, the same results 
would have occurred that day which happened the morning 
following. The enemy yesterday morning, by a decided and 
bold attempt, took possession of Valencia's camp near Mag- 
dalena, completely routing him and taking possession of the 
greatest part of his artillery. But you must bear in mind that 
had the troops which came to his assistance the day previous 
been there, the result would have been different. Magdalena 
once in possession of the Americans, they immediately pro- 
ceeded and attacked our main body of unconquerable Mexi- 
cans, who were in their fortifications, and only listened to the 
musketry of the enemy, as they had no artillery with them. 
We only waited for two discharges of their musketry, and our 
troops were put to flight in terrible confusion, and it is re- 
markable what a state of fear extended throughout our entire 
army. This circumstance enabled the Americans to take pos- 
session of our fortifications with the greatest ease, and more 
so as the National Guards (Polkas), whose name is so renown- 
ed, behaved with an ignominy lamentable to relate. 
(Of the reported armistice the writer says :) 

It is supposed that it will be favorable to peace, but you 
must be well aware, that should it be effected, of which I have 
no doubt, it will be a disgrace to the Mexican people. 

E. C. 



Mexico, August 21, 1847. 
Senorita Dna. M. tie J. M.: 

My Dear Young Lady: — ^Yesterday I arrived at home with- 
out accident, having escaped the dangers of the fight by priv- 
ilege, or because the Yankees took pity on us, for, on leaving 
our camp, such was the disorder and confusion, that if the 
enemy had attacked us with whips, not a single one of us 
would have been left. The generals gave orders and the 
camp-women screamed, the mules would not pull, the soldiers 
did not wish to retreat without fighting, and General Bravo, 
our commander, would not allow it, and at last we escaped, 
saving some part of our munitions, but losing much, which 
could not be removed. The Yankees undertook to outflank 
us, but meeting with the division, they commenced a fire. 
We stood on the defence, and they, certainly through pity, 



46 

took the other road, all the time accompanying us on the left. 
Hardly had we reached the bridge at Churubusco, when the 
artillery fire was commenced at that place. General Santa 
Anna arrived there at the moment we passed, and he ordered 
such of the artillery as was convenient, should be turned upon 
the enemy, and that we should continue (to retreat!) On the 
way we met the division of General Perez, which afterwards 
engaged the enemy, and while the action continued we reach- 
ed the city. We found Mexico in the greatest consternation, 
perhaps more for our sakes than for the events of the morn- 
ing, for I saw that our presence produced the greatest joy, and 
we were even cheered when it was seen that we had not met 
with any loss. 

It seems impossible that in the space of six hours, eight 
thousand men should have been destroyed, of which not the 
eighth part were killed. But our troops scarcely saw a move- 
ment of the enemy before they fled, and that without the pos- 
sibility of stopping them. The battalions of Bravo and Inde- 
pendence were attacked in the convent of Churubusco, and 
taken prisoners, and it is thought that Gorostiza is of the 
number. 

To-day about five thousand of the dispersed have been col- 
lected, and we have now about twelve thousand men inarms. 
An armistice, &c. &c. 



August 21, 1847. 
Old Man: — Although I am a regidor (a civil officer), still I 
resolved to go to the fight, as I could no longer remain in the 
city taking care of disorderly women and drunkards ; I deter- 
mined to see the fate of my unfortunate country ; consequent- 
ly, on Tuesday last I received an order from the Minister of 
War and Government, directing me to join General Alcorta 
as his aid-de-camp ; and on Wednesday morning I went to the 
Penon, resolved to endure all the privations of a campaign, 
and to see in what I could serve my country. The enemy pre- 
sented himself on Thursday morning before us, in order to al- 
low their engineers to make a reconnoisance of our position, 
but he did not like the patato, and on Sunday night Santa Anna 
heard that the enemy had certainly taken the route towards 
Tlalpam (San Augustin). On Monday morning at 9 o'clock, 
we commenced our march towards the same place (by the 
city) and on Tuesday, after an examination of the place, we 
saw we could not make resistance there, and it was resolved 
that we should take up our position at San Antonio. That 
same afternoon the Yankees arrived at San Augustin at two 
o'clock, P. M. 



47 

We proceeded with the greatest activity to make prepara- 
tions for resistance, and ordered the heaviest pieces of ordnance 
to be brought from Penon to San Antonio, and we protected 
our right tiank as much as possible, fearing that the enemy 
might take advantage of us in that quarter. We made ditcli- 
es and redoubts, and General Perez's brigade, composed of 
4000 Infantry and 700 horse, of the hussars, who were at Ja- 
lapa, was ordered to go around towards Coyoacan (near San 
Angel). The 5th brigade, composed of Victoria, Independence, 
Hidalgo and Bravo's, were ordered to march to Churubusco; 
this brigade was composed of 2,000 men and generally called 
Polkas. On Wednesday the Yankees presented themselves at 
the hacienda of Coapa, about a fourth of a league from San 
Antonio. There must haA'^e been seven or eight hundred men, 
and we fired several shots at them with our 24-pound jjiece, 
and some shells, with a good result. In the mean time I took 
a nap at general headquarters, about half a league this side of 
San Antonio, where Bravo commanded. Day before yester- 
day (Thursday) we continued firing cannon on the enemy, and 
at about 1 o'clock we observed that Valencia, who was posted 
at Magdalena to impede the enemy that way, commenced 
firing cannon. The fire was heavy, when an Aid of Valen- 
cia arrived saying that he was being surrounded, and we sent 
an Aid to Perez and another to Mexico to Lombardini (Min- 
ister of War), in order that he might tell Rangel to march 
with his 2,000 men, together with Perez's brigade, to the sup- 
port of Valencia. At about half past 3 o'clock in the after- 
noon we found ourselves in front of the enemy, who were ta- 
king a position on the left flank of Valencia, who, the enemy, 
on seeing 5,000 men who came to reinforce Valencia, com- 
menced covering themselves in the bushes and behind the 
church of San Geronimo. However, the enemy's forces in 
front of Valencia continued to fire upon him, and he, Valen- 
cia, returned their fire with 21 pieces of cannon. A little be- 
fore dusk we received three light pieces we had sent for, and 
we fired six times with good result. I had proposed not to 
ask w^here we were going; and what was my astonishment 
when, at night, we were ordered to retire to San Angel, two 
and a half leagues distant from Valencia's camp. We there 
met Rangel's division, and ours, together wdth his, amounted 
to 12,000 men. 

Well, old gentlemen, instead of marching early the next 
morning to the beautiful position we left on the 19th, we did 
not start till after 6 o'clock, merely, as it were, to see the de- 
struction of Valencia, and we had not arrived at the position 
of the previous day when we met two flying soldiers, at about 



4S 

7 o'clock, who brought the fatal news of the complete rout of 
Valencia. Then Don Antonio (Santa Anna) gave orders for 
our return to Mexico, as it was to be made another Troy. Ran- 
gel's brigade was ordered to take possession of the citadel, 
and Santa Anna gave Perez and Bravo orders to retire from 
San Antonio; as San Angel being taken we were cut off by 
the enemy, and you can imagine the confusion and the destruc- 
tion of the ?noral of our Army which ensued. In moving our 
artillery and ammunition we were put to much inconvenience 
and delay, for, as it had rained the night previous, the wheels 
stuck in the mud, and the mules, fatigued, could not haul them. 
The result was that when the Yankees observed our move- 
ment, and saw us withdraw our pieces from the embrazures 
at San Antonio, he detached two columns, one by the Pedre- 
gal (rough volcanic ground) and the other down the main road, 
and consequently took San Antonio, and most of Alvarez's 
troops, brought from the South, were made prisoners. Whilst 
this was going on at San Antonio, the same troops which had 
routed Valencia were detached in two columns, one of which 
attacked Churubusco, where, after a small resistance, the com- 
panies of Independence and Bravo were taken prisoners, as also 
other companies that Avere cut off in their retreat. The other 
column came down the main road and attacked the bridge by 
the same name,* where our own wagons (returning from San 
Antonio and fast in the mud) served them as trenches ; and 
after an attack of infantry alone they took our position which 
appeared impregnable,** putting us shamefully to flight; and 
had the enemy been any other they would have gone directly 
into Mexico, for our cursed soldiers, frightened to death, were 
bellowing through the streets, "here comes the Yankees." — 
Finally, Santa Anna resolved to defend the city at the first 
line, and if our soldiers would not run, we had a sufficient 
number left to defend this unfortunate city. 

But now they speak of a capitulation, or I know not what. 
The result is that the Yankees can march directly into Mexi- 
co at any hour they please, owing to the cowardice and 

• of our generals-in-chief. Bassadre, Mora Villamil and 



Aranjois started at day-break this morning with orders from 
Pacheco to ask Scott for 30 hours armistice, in order to bury 
the dead and collect the wounded. Santa Anna became very 
angry and said, "this cursed Pacheco had made a fool of him- 

* The American force was sent forward in three columns and attacked the ene- 
my's works in the front and on both flanks. The second work is called the tete- 
de-pont. 

** The writer is in the main accurate, but the Yankees had two light batteries in 
this or these attacks. 



49 

self and compromised me" — which remark having come td 
the ears of Pacheco, he resigned. Some say it was a pre-con- 
certed affair. I will now give you my old man, my opinion of 
all this : Valencia wished to be the hero, but he had not the 
elements to make himself so ; Santa Anna wished to destroy 
him, and, by not sending him reinforcements day before yes- 
terday, he has lost the nation. Keep this to yourself. Valen- 
cia received positive orders not to engage in fight, but, not- 
withstanding those orders, and the order to spike his artillery 
and retire if necessary, he remained, and replied that he con- 
sidered himself strong enough to beat the enemy ; and that 
his army from the north (it was from San Luis Potosi) could 
not be overcome, much less would it retreat before the enemy. 
From all I have said you will judge the future destiny of our 
unhappy country. JUAN. 



Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847. 
My Dear * * * ; 

It is now four o'clock in the afternoon, and an armistice has 
been concluded between the government and the enemy for 
forty-eight hours, and I will avail myself of the dilligence in 
that time to join you. Twenty-five others have applied for 
seats, but the diligence is full. I was very anxious to get a 
seat as * * *. 

It is not true that Bravo is either dead or a prisoner, as I 
have, to-day, seen him in the city. * * *. 

Our dead have been but few, but we have been most shame- 
fully routed. I suppose you have heard many alarming sto- 
ries, but calm yourself, as there is no further danger ; but we 
have been lost by means of a handful of adventurers of the 
worst kind. * * * 

The battalion of Victoria has not fought. They say they 
will fight, but will only obey the orders of their Colonel, as 
their general ran away. 



Mexico, Aug. 20th, 1847. 
All is lost, all. My presentiments never have deceived me 
— and when I have been deceived it is when I have reasoned 
with those who reason, and last night it was reasonable to con- 
fide, and I endeavored to confide, to belive and to persuade my- 
self, although the instinct of presentiment would arise and 

say just what has occurred. You will already have 

heard of it when you receive this, but perhaps you would 
wish me to repeat it, although at this moment a sort of deliri- 
um has taken posession of my faculties, and, in truth, I do not 
know what to say to you; but what I can, I will say, be it 

4 



50 

what it may. Yesterday morning Santa Anna ordered Valen- 
cia not to fight ; Valencia answered that he would fight, as 
his own and the honor of the nation required it — and he did 
fight with exemplary courage until 7 o'clock in- the evening, 
at which time the firing ceased, when Santa Anna, because it 
rained, determined to take his troops to San Angel, leaving 
Valencia at his advanced post. At day-light this morning Va- 
lencia was outflanked by the enemy, in the direction of the 
inaccessible place the Pedrigal. (This is understood in the ori- 
ginal — it refers to broken volcanic grounds.) He was entire- 
ly surrounded and on all sides; they fought like lions. Santa 
Anna cooly observed this, and did not send to our general any 
assistance, fearing the laurels which, against his orders, Va- 
lencia was gathering; but Valencia was overpowered and suc- 
combed, yet like a brave man. At about 7 o'clock this morn- 
ing, afterwards, we were defeated at San Antonio and Churu- 
busco. From these points the regiments of Hidalgo and Vic- 
toria were ordered to retire. That of Independence, which 
was isolated, was cut off" by the enemy — some of its brave 
men were killed, as happened to that valuable young man M. 
de Castro, and others were made prisoners. In the midst of 
the universal desperation which reigns in the capital, because 
our numerous army has been beaten in detail by a handful of 
fo] eigners (although brave), as there have been corps of ours 
which did not fight, owing to the want of disposition by the 
general-in-chief, who has made us suffer the torments of hell: 
we have seen Santa Anna at dusk enter the palace, without 
suspecting until tlie present moment what it signified : some 
beheving that it was owing to the rain and in order to spend 
a pleasant night like that of yesterday ; others thinking that 
a capitulation had been agreed upon; but the greater part not 
knowing what opinion to form. I shall put this letter into the 
mail, &c., and will write again, * * * * 

Everything is complete confusion and some time must pass 
before I can judge of events. * * * * * 

I do not know what I have written. I am crushed by the 
horrible realization of my presentiments, which have never 
deceived me, and owing to which I have never been able to 
have any enthusiasm or faith in this war — and for Avhich rea- 
son I have not been able to persuade myself to take a part 
in the war, though I have ardently desired it. 

I had forgotten to say that Santa Anna has given orders 
for Valencia to be shot, when he has the sympathies of all in 
his favor, and Santa Anna bears all the odium which was not 
equalled by that of the 6th of December. This is sufficient. 
Remember me to, &c., &c. Your friend, (anonymous.) 



[Note. — The same writer writes the next day, the 21st, and 
corrects the report in regard to De Castro, and adds :] 

The battalions of Hidaglo and Victoria would have fought 
had they not been ordered to retire by Santa Anna, and in 
spite of the order many of them did fight in the defences 
(works.) * * * * 

By this mail you are called to Congress, ordered to convene 
by Santa Anna, who has listened to the commissioners from 
the United States, on the subject of peace, in virtue of the 
constitutional powers which he has. When Santa Anna re- 
turned to the capital this afternoon at 4 o'clock, he said that 
it was in virtue of an armistice of 30 hours, to gather his 
wounded ; but the truth is, he has already made a peace with 
Scott, for so the interpreter said to a friend of mine, and your 
friend N. infers from the despatch of Santa Anna to Congress. 
I nevertheless send you the letter I ^vi'ote yesterday. 

Scott has very much praised the valor of the Mexicans, and 
he told A. that he had the best intentions towards us. Come, 
then, and assist in celebrating the funeral of our country. A 
revolution may yet take place in favor of Valencia, caused by 
the peace. The public mind is exceedingly excited, and for 
this reason it, perhaps would not be prudent for you to bring 

your family. 

Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847. 

* * As soon as the Americans had united the other side 
of the Penon, they took the road by Chalco to San Augustin 
Tlalpam, but the most difficult to pass was the stony ground, 
there being no wagon road through it, and it was declared to 
be impassible. But each man of eight or ten thousand Ame- 
ricans, who had to pass that way, took a bag of dirt on his 
shoulders, so that on the way, with eight or ten thousand bags 
of dirt, they went on making the road, so that they all pass- 
ed, without detention, to Tlalpam to take Tacubaya, by the 
way of the hills of San Angel. The Mexican forces that 
were in the Penon came and fortified themselves in San An- 
tonio and Churubusco, below San Angel, while about seven 
or eight thousand veterans of cavalry and infantry, with thir- 
ty pieces of cannon, under Valencia, took post beyond San 
Angel. General Santa Anna was on the point below with 
the National Guard, so that, by this plan, we had the Ameri- 
cans in San Augustin, the Mexicans forming their line be- 
tween them and the city. But now for the fight. On Thurs- 
day the 19th, the Americans marched with the intention to 
pass above San Angel, general Valencia marched to encoun- 
ter them, and sustained the action from 4 p. m., till night closed 
in. The firing was severe ; it could be clearly seen from the 
roof of the house. At night the Americans marched up a 



52 

ravine or hollow that divided the two camps, surrounded the 
Mexicans, and finished with them from 4 till 7 a. m., on the 
20th. There were some Americans in a little hacienda be- 
yond San Antonio, who had been shot at the evening before 
by Mexicans, but they remained very quiet, not answering 
the shots, but when Valencia was defeated they attacked the 
points below where Santa Anna commanded in person, and 
in a few hours all was lost. 

The troops yesterday dispersed, with the exception of the 
battalions of Independence and Bravo's, which were cut off 
by the Americans. It is said that many were killed, some 
escaped, and the rest are prisoners. This is what has hap- 
pened up to yesterday. To-day what troops remain have 
gone to the gates of San Antonio Abad and Nino Perdido, 
and according to the general opinion we shall all, in a few 

days, be Yankees. IGN. N. 

Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847. 

Coni'g General Don Jose de Ugarte : 

My never forgotten Sir and Commander : — On the 19th and 
20th the division of Valencia fought and was defeated, as was 
also some other troops from this place. These events have 
placed things in a terrible state. I cannot say with certainty 
to what are we to attribute these misfortunes, as there is a 
great diversity of opinion on the subject. One thing is cer- 
tain, that from these reverses our affairs are in a most lament- 
able state, and it will be very difficult to re-establish them 
and bring them to the condition in which they were on the 
19th. The enemy has lost a great number of men, but ours 
have lost courage. There are many chiefs, officers and men 
in the power of the enemy, and many wounded. Until the 
present time, now 1 p. m., the fire has not been recommenced. 
The enemy is in many positions of the second line, and our 
army has retreated to the first line. It is very difficult to 
form a judgment of these misfortunes, the more so as so many 
of our officers are so badly spoken of. The enemy has de- 
manded the surrender of the capital. It is said that general 
Mora and others have gone as conferees. One thing is cer- 
tain, that our troops have retired to their quarters, and that 
the lines have been deserted. From this state of things the 
capital is in a terrible state. It is said that general Paredes 
is here, and that he and general Valencia are searched for by 
general Santa Anna, who has ordered Valencia to be shot. 
In fact, you cannot imagine in what a lamentable condition 
we are. I have no time to be more particular, and I beg you 
will have the goodness to present my compliments to Donna 
G. and Donna C, and the rest of the family, as also to my 
friends S., F. and C, and you, my beloved commander, can 



dispose of the affections of your subject and faithful servant, 
who, wishing you all happiness, kisses your hand. J. M. G. 

[This is a letter from a Minister of the Gavernjnent to a mil- 
lionaire.] 

Mexico, Aug. 21,1847. 
Sen. Don G.M.and T.: 

My Dear Friend : — In my last I gave you an idea of the 
state and position of our army. Yesterday, at daylight, our 
right [referring to Valencia] was completely surrounded and 
routed, and afterwards the position on the left [Churubusco, 
Portalis, &c.,] were attacked, to which succeeded a disorderly 
retreat of our troops, which led the victorious enemy, to with- 
in one league of the city, where he paused, not to be wanting 
in a prudence becoming a wise general, although he might 
have entered to the very Palace itself. You may imagine the 
consternation and disorder prevailing in the capital at this 
time. To day Don Ig. Moro left the city with the object of 
proposing a cessation of hostilities under the pretext of col- 
lecting the wounded and an exchange of prisoners, although 
we have but very few of the latter. When he arrived at the 
camp of the enemy he was handed a letter which the Ameri- 
can general had already prepared, proposing an armistice 
with a view to enter upon negotiations for peace, which natu- 
rally was accepted, and to-morrow it will be arranged by 
Moro and Quijoan, who are the commissioners. But the en- 
emy declared his purpose of occupying the towns in the im- 
mediate vicinity of the capital, in order to obtain quarters and 
subsistence for his troops. This is the position of affairs to- 
day. What is to follow you can imagine, for we have no al- 
ternative but to enter into arrangements or leave the capital 
at the mercy of the conquerors. I. R. 



[A letter in the form of notes of events."] 

Mexico, Aug. 20, 1847. 
1 o'clock, I'. M. — .Judas ! all is lost — eternal shame for us. 
As I said to you when J closed my letter this morning, the 
firing between six and seven was horrible. At the last men- 
tioned hour it entirely ceased, which caused me to believe 
that all was decided. I was listening until eight, and observ- 
ing that there was no ringing of bells, I began to fear that 
the result was unfavorable to us. I went into the street and 
immediately perceived signs of sorrow and down-hearted- 
ness in the countenances of all. I walked towards the pal- 
ace, and observed the same : besides, several officers who ar- 
rived, said they knew nothing — but their manner shew very 
plainly our misfortune. 



The scene of Cerro Gordo has been repeated exactly, and 
that, too, when the tactics of the enemy, of commencing an 
action in the evening to strike a finishing blow the next mor- 
ning, was well known. This time Valencia remained in his 
positions and Santa Anna abandoned him, retiring to San 
Angel, and Valencia found himself attacked by double his 
numbers. 

4 o'clock, p. M. — A little after 12 firing was heard in San 
Antonio, and lasted about an hour and a half, and after a 
short pause, it was heard much nearer, which by all signs ap- 
pears to be in Churubusco. About 2 o'clock I directed my 
steps towards San Antonio, Abad [the Garita,] where there 
was seen a numerous crowd. The sight which presented it- . 
self at this place and in all the streets of the Raspro was hor- 
rible : all was full of dispersed soldiers, carts, shrieking wo- 
men and devils. The battalions of Hidalgo and Victoria, 
with four pieces, were in the plazuela of San Lucas when I 
arrived. Some of those with whom I spoke said that Santa 
Anna had betrayed them, that at San Antonio, when it was 
least expected, they were orderad to retreat, and that, except 
four pieces brought away, they had spiked their guns, that 
Santa Anna had remained at Churubusco with the division 
of Perez and the battalions of Independence and Bravo. 

It is said that the last cannon shots v/ere in the Candelaria 
(at the garita of San Antonio) and were directed against a 
party of the enemy's cavalry, who retired in consequence. — 
This occurrence, and the cessation of firing, indicates the loss 
of San Antonio, Churubusco, and Mexicalcingo, and that 
probably Santa Anna is a prisoner or has made a capitula- 
tion. According to some, the nationals are situated in the 
Nino Perdido ; according to others, in the gate of Belin. It 
is said that the brigade of Rangel has returned to the city — 
the brigade of Herrera, that was at the Penon, I saw enter 
about half past 11, and take the route towards the public 
walls. It is probable they are destined for Chapultepec or 
Tacubaya. 

All, in my opinion, is entirely useless, because, with or with- 
out reason, Santa Anna is generally accused of treason ! — 
What then can be hoped for ? 

I only know of the death of Pedrigan ; a soldier said he 
had seen him with two shots, one in the loins and one in the 
ribs. A great many wounded have come in, and 40 went to 
San Andres, according to the account of the surgeon, who 
lives there. 

I am going out to investigate what happens ! what mortal 
anguish ! 

6 o'clock. — Returned from the palace ; a great many de- 



55 

clare that the complete rout of Valencia in the hills of Con- 
treras, was owing to his being completely abandoned. — 
Amongst the dead are named Don Sebastian Blanco and 
Frontera. In a little time we shall learn how many lives 
have been sacrificed by treason or ignorance. 

7 o'clock — At this moment various bodies of troops are en- 
tering, who cannot be distinguished for want of light. It ap- 
pears that they are all concentrating in the city. It is said 
that there are yet 15,000. But for what will they serve ? 
Their spirits are broken, and there is a universal want of con- 
fidence ; and in this state of things even if there were 200,- 

000 it would be all the same. The seal has been set to our 
ignominy. The Nationals [Polkas] are leaving the ranks and 
returning to their homes. 

Satm-day, August 21, 6 o'clock, A. M. A short time since 
Santa Anna was seen marching for the gate of Candelaria 
with some 3000 infantry, all full of mud and bare footed, and 
some 800 cavalry, have marched for the gate of San Lazaro, 
which seems to indicate that we shall shortly have an ac- 
tion. 

2 P. M. The troops that marched this morning, took up 
their positions at the gates. Nothing has yet occurred M^hat- 
ever — the public talk is past bearing — nothing is knowTi with 
certainty. What seems most certain is, that a commission, 
consisting of Mora Villamil, Arranguiz and Mcintosh, have 
gone to Scott. No one doubts now that peace will be made. 
The troops are all broken spirited, and yesterday they were 
so frightened, cowed, that from Churubusco the division of 
Perez, including himself, went as far as the Penon. If I had 
not received this from persons of veracity, I could not have 
beheved it, but this explains why they were so covered with 
mud this morning. 

It is said, everywhere that Santa Anna has committed trea- 
son — that the division of Valencia, and especially his infantry, 
fought well with the main body of the Yankees, and that if 
Santa Anna had assisted them, they would have triumphed ; 
but that instead of so doing, he retired from the field, and 
looked in cold blood upon the destruction of the liower of the 
army ! But why should I tire myself with repeating this to 
yoii ?You know it better than I do, as I am told Valencia has 
gone with Olaguibel. 

5, P. M. At four o'clock all the troops returned to their 
barracks, and at once I inferred that negociations were on foot. 

1 went out to enquire, and Don J. N. told me, referring to Ar- 
ranguiz, that there was an armistice concluded, but for what 
time was not known. We made enquires : some said for 24, 
others 48 hours. A strange circumstance relating to this, is, 



56 

that the armistice was asked for by both parties at one and 
the same time. 1 was hkewise told by Noriego, that the 
President had addressed Congress, stating that a meeting 
was indispensible by twelve o'clock, but that only 26 depu- 
ties met. 

From all these dates you will form your own opinion. 
For my part I believe it will end in a most shameful man- 
ner for us. 

The Yankees occupy the hacienda of Portalis, Churubusco, 
and Coyoacan, and this gives me some concern for my house, 
but according to what I have been able to hear they do no in- 
jury. F. L. 

(There are many errors in this letter, which was evidently 
written by one who partook of the general alarm, and is only 
valuable as a general testimony to the standard of feeling in 
Mexico, during the progress of events.) 



Mexico, Aug. 21, 1847. 

I take my pen in hand with sorrow to communicate to you 
the sad news that, without knowing how, we have in a few 
hours lost all. 

A great deal of time would be needful to give you even a 
slight sketch of what has occured since om- starting on the 
9th, until our entrance into the capital yesterday evening, ti- 
red and low spirited, after a fatigue since 4 o'clock, A.M., but 
luckily we find ourselves with life, giving thanks to provi- 
dence that has saved us from the imminent peril in which we 
were placed at 1 1 o'clock yesterday, when we were on the 
point of perishing with the Battalions of Hidalgo and Victoria. 
Whilst this happened, our companions of Independence and 
Bravo have been nearly exterminated, and the Brigade of Gen. 
Perez has disappeared with the artillery that guarded the 
bridge of Churubusco, and there was lost here what we had 
saved from San Antonio. 

I have been in peril, and twelve days well worked; but I 
count them as well employed, having witnessed the military 
knowledge of this unfortunate country. It has caused us the 
necessity of opening our gates to the enemy, and I cannot 
perceive the least grounds for the expectation of a triumph 
hereafter. 

My blood boils when I recollect the unfortunate disasters of 
yesterday ; and when I am more composed, I will refer again 
to the subject, or I will see you personally if the diligence 
leaves to-morrow or Monday. 

We do not certainly know to what extent our misfortunes 
may go. 



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